A jury in Mesa County found Tina Peters guilty on seven of ten criminal charges related to a security breach in the elections office she managed in the spring of 2021. The verdict was reached just hours after closing arguments were presented in court.
Peters was convicted on three felony counts of attempting to influence a public servant, one felony count of criminal impersonation, one misdemeanor count of official misconduct, one misdemeanor count for violating election duties, and one misdemeanor count for failing to comply with the secretary of state. She was acquitted of two felony counts of criminal impersonation and one felony count of identity theft.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold commented that Peters had knowingly compromised her election equipment while attempting to support baseless claims regarding the election. She emphasized that the verdict underscores a commitment to safeguarding election integrity in Colorado.
The investigation into Peters began in August 2021 after sensitive data from Mesa County’s election system was discovered online. A grand jury charged Peters in 2022 for facilitating unauthorized access to the elections department, where an individual made copies of election software and collected sensitive data during a software update.
During the trial, prosecutors highlighted that Peters collaborated with several associates, including individuals aligned with former President Donald Trump, to perpetuate false claims regarding election security. They described Peters as having opened her office to outsiders, resulting in a serious breach of election security protocols.
In closing statements, the prosecution detailed how Peters allegedly orchestrated a scheme that included hiring someone to use another individual’s identity to gain unauthorized access to secure election areas. This arrangement was characterized as enabling Hayes, an unauthorized outsider, to operate under false pretenses.
Defense attorneys attempted to refute the allegations by suggesting that Peters acted out of a desire to preserve election integrity. However, the prosecution argued that her actions were premeditated and intended to facilitate fraud.
Statements from officials, including Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, indicated that the verdict serves as a warning against tampering with the electoral process and reinforces the safety and fairness of Colorado’s elections.
Tina Peters is scheduled to be sentenced on October 3.