Colo. secretary of state challenger tied to fine

By The AP
Tuesday, October 12, 2010

DENVER — A Republican challenging Colorado’s secretary of state worked for a group facing hefty state fines for reporting errors.

Scott Gessler is a lawyer whose specialty is elections law. The Denver Post reported today that Gessler was the registered agent for the Colorado Independent Auto Dealers Association political committee, which faces a $528,000 fine for not filing reports while Gessler was the agent.

The association has said that Gessler was not to blame for reporting errors. The incumbent secretary of state, Democrat Bernie Buescher, calls the infraction “a serious transgression.”

Buescher was appointed to the job last year when former Secretary of State Mike Coffman went to Congress. Buescher is seeking a full term.