NEW: Aurora Police aren't yet telling the public what officers are seen doing in photos back at the spot where #ElijahMcClain was restrained. Chief Wilson learned of photos last Thu., before weekend protests. IA probe ended today. Only acknowledged when it leaked to media. #9NEWS
The timeline is important because we now know that, prior to the protests and the use-of-force during the violin vigil, Aurora Police:
- knew these photos existed
- were investigating the officers involved
- knew it was possible the public would eventually find out
We'll also be asking @AuroraMayorMike if he knew of the photos being investigated and when he learned of them. We were scheduled to interview him today about APD's use-of-force at the violin vigil but he canceled and directed us to the police chief. 9news.com/article/news/l…
Chief Wilson's statement tonight commits to releasing the IA investigation "in its entirety," including "photographic evidence obtained" so it looks like they'll be made public. An APD spokeswoman said tonight that the release process, pending appeals, could take days/weeks.
Wilson became interim chief of APD when the previous interim chief retired in the face of an internal affairs investigation of his role in the handling of an APD officer found blackout drunk and armed behind the wheel of his patrol car on duty. 9news.com/article/news/i…
The drunk-on-duty APD officer wasn't fired and was not charged with a crime because of the way evidence was (and wasn't) collected. Wilson became interim chief promising transparency and asking the public "to give me the opportunity to move forward and to gain that trust back."
Our @Jordan_Chavez interviewed Chief Wilson today. We didn't know about the photos and investigation yet so we didn't ask her. She didn't volunteer the information. (end thread)
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NEW: A statement from Colorado Secretary of State @JenaGriswold (D) moves closer to taking responsibility for her office's leak of voting machine passwords. "I am regretful for this error," Griswold said in the statement. #copolitics
@JenaGriswold Griswold told 9NEWS last week that only her office was investigating her office's security breach. @GovOfCo Polis (D) called for an outside investigation. Griswold's office now says it has retained "a well-regarded law firm to conduct an outside investigation."
The SOS's office did not name the outside law firm. I've asked. They say Griswold's office "will release any findings as the law permits." Colorado open records law has broad carve-outs that could block the release of most or all of the probe. I've asked if they'll do that.
NEW: @GovofCO Polis (D) announces Colorado will deploy “human capital, air and ground assets, and other logistical support” to help SOS @JenaGriswold (D) change leaked voting system passwords statewide. #copolitics
The password changes and review of logs/video for potential tampering is a process that must occur on-site in impacted county clerk offices. SOS has declined to say how many. Goal is to complete work tonight
Griswold did not inform county election clerks that her office had posted voting machine passwords online for months and did not begin the process of changing the leaked passwords until after the security breach became public.
NEW: Spokesperson for Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold (D) confirms that "partial passwords" for Colorado voting systems were inadvertently posted online. The @ColoGOP first flagged the issue. #copolitics
The @ColoGOP says SOS @JenaGriswold (D) must comply with a list of election integrity demands or the GOP will call on county clerks to decertify the impacted voting machines.
@cologop @JenaGriswold SOS Griswold's office says there is no "immediate security threat" because no one could have used the leaked passwords to compromise voting systems unless they obtained physical access to the equipment through ID-badged secure rooms that are video-monitored.
Aurora Fire tells me capacity for the Trump rally is about 10,300. The guy with the clicker at the door says 1,500 entered in the first hour. Two hours until Trump speaks. Imagine it will be packed. I’ll thread updates from the rally here. #copolitics
“Come here! I’m gonna give you a hug. I don’t watch your show. You’re so full of shit.” - Katrena from Kittridge, CO
Mix of cheers and boos as Colorado GOP chairman Dave Williams takes the stage. Williams just turned back an attempt by a faction of the party to replace him over allegations of incompetence and corruption.
NEW: Tina Peters’ sentencing in her election system tampering case has started. I’ll thread details here. Or watch live: #copolitics 9news.com/mobile/article…
Peters’ attorney asks for a sentence of probation instead of prison. Calls the prosecution highly politicized. Not sure how well that will go over with the judge, who wasn’t interested in political speeches during the trial. A pastor is now speaking on Peters’ behalf.
The pastor asks the judge to remand Peters into the custody of his church in California with a promise that she won’t be involved in Colorado politics anymore. Three people who were supposed to speak for Peters haven’t shown up, so now the people are speaking for the prosecution.
NEW: Colorado has a new welcome sign, of sorts. The billboard at the CO-WY state line warning "Venezuela Ahead, Be Prepared!" bears the name of Donald Trump's biggest billionaire megadonor. #copolitics 9news.com/article/news/p…
The billboard says “Paid for by Clipper Properties, LLC, Tim Mellon, Member.” Mellon gave $125M to a pro-Trump super PAC. The NYT describes Mellon as a "reclusive billionaire" whose autobiography said Blacks became "even more belligerent" after the expansion of social programs.
9NEWS has not independently confirmed that the Tim Mellon who paid for the billboard is the conservative megadonor of the same name. The law firm for the LLC hung up the phone repeatedly when Mellon's name was mentioned.