A judge in Colorado harshly criticized a former county clerk before sentencing her to nine years in prison for her involvement in a data breach scheme tied to unfounded claims of voting machine fraud during the 2020 presidential election.
District Judge Matthew Barrett admonished Tina Peters, the former Mesa County Clerk, after she continued to promote debunked allegations about voting manipulation. He expressed doubt that she would change her behavior, stating, “I am convinced you would do it all over again if you could. You’re as defiant as any defendant this court has ever seen. You are no hero. You abused your position and you’re a charlatan.”
In August, a jury found Peters guilty of allowing someone to improperly use a security card to access the Mesa County election system and misrepresenting that person’s identity. The individual was associated with Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow and a prominent figure in promoting false narratives about election fraud.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Peters, a Republican, sought notoriety and became “fixated” on alleged voting issues after aligning herself with others who doubted the presidential election’s legitimacy. Peters has remained unrepentant, asserting that her actions were intended to root out what she believed to be fraud.
Before her sentencing, Peters claimed her intentions were good, stating, “I’ve never done anything with malice to break the law. I’ve only wanted to serve the people of Mesa County.” However, Judge Barrett expressed frustration over her stubbornness to acknowledge the truth, noting that recounts showed no discrepancies in the votes.
He further criticized Peters for making public appearances that perpetuated falsehoods, saying, “It’s just more lies. No objective person believes them… at the end of the day, you cared about the jets, the podcasts, and people fawning over you.”
The breach of election security heightened fears that partisan individuals might exploit their positions to jeopardize voting processes. The Colorado County Clerks Association warned the court about the repercussions that Peters’ actions had on election security and public safety. The director of the association testified that Peters’ actions led to threats against election workers and their families, stating, “She has knowingly fueled a fire within others who choose threats as a means to get their way.”
Peters’ actions have reportedly cost the local government $1.4 million in legal fees and lost productivity costs, according to County Commissioner Cody Davis. He noted the damage to the community’s reputation, saying, “Her behavior has made this county a national laughingstock.”
Peters faced several charges, including attempting to influence a public servant and conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, while being acquitted of identity theft. Despite the verdict, she continued to accuse Dominion Voting Systems of vote manipulation.
Following the sentencing, Secretary of State Jena Griswold emphasized Colorado’s commitment to secure elections, declaring them as the “nation’s gold standard.” Attorney General Phil Weiser described the sentence as “fair and just.”