Gessler attorneys reviewing officials’ expenses

By The AP
Friday, December 7, 2012

DENVER — Attorneys for Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler are reviewing expenses for lawmakers and other state elected officials in their defense of Gessler on an ethics complaint charging he used public money to attend political events.

Gessler’s attorney asked the state’s Independent Ethics Commission on Friday for more time to file a response to the complaint so they can review the records. The ethics panel rejected the request for an extension to Feb. 1, but gave attorneys until Dec. 21 to respond. The response was originally due Dec. 10.

Colorado Ethics Watch filed a complaint alleging that the Republican elections chief misused funds because he was reimbursed $1,570 to attend the Republican National Convention and a Republican election law training event.

Denver prosecutors are also investigating.

Gessler says he welcomes a thorough review.