Mesa County Clerk and Colorado Republican Secretary of State candidate Tina Peters reacts to the early election results during a primary vigil party on June 28, 2022 in Sedalia, Colorado.
Mark Piscotti | Getty Images
Tina PetersA former Colorado county clerk who supported a false conspiracy theory that former President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election due to ballot fraud was sentenced Thursday to nine years in prison for crimes related to violations of county voting systems.
“You are no hero,” Judge Matthew Barrett told Peters. “You are a charlatan who has used and still uses your previous position to peddle snake oil that has been proven time and time again to be rubbish.”
“Your lies are well-documented and these convictions are serious.” “I believe you would do it over again if you could,” Barrett told the former Mesa County clerk.
“You are the most defiant defendant this court has ever seen.”
Peters asked for probation, while prosecutors wanted her to serve the maximum possible sentence: 20 years in prison.
Barrett’s staff was immediately detained after she rejected her attorney’s request to remain free.
In August, a jury found Peters guilty of seven criminal charges, including attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy to impersonate, breach of duty and failing to comply with a request from the secretary of state.
Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters observes during the trial on Friday, March 3, 2023, in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Scott Crabtree | Associated Press
She is accused of using someone else’s security badge to let others into her county’s election system.
The person using the badge is associated with My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell, a leading proponent of the idea that Trump lost re-election due to voter fraud.
Peters falsely accused Dominion Voting Systems, Mesa County’s election system, of being involved in the alleged scheme against Trump.
This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.
About The Author
