On Monday, April 28, 2025, Colorado Politics reported that the Colorado commission tasked with disciplining state judges has dismissed a significant anonymous complaint alleging a long-standing conspiracy to conceal judicial misconduct. This decision emerged during a state Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on confirming the reappointments of Mindy Sooter and Jim Carpenter, who serve as chair and vice-chair of the Commission on Judicial Discipline.
The complaint, which spans 330 pages and includes over 3,100 pages of supporting documents, was filed anonymously in October. It claims a comprehensive conspiracy involving various judicial figures aimed at hiding years of alleged misconduct, including lying, retaliation, and improper use of public funds. Former Commission on Judicial Discipline director Christopher Gregory, who had previously urged federal investigators to look into the matter, testified at the hearing, highlighting the need for further inquiry into the allegations.
Senators were taken aback when it was revealed that the commission had dismissed the complaint without publicly addressing its contents. Senate committee members, including Sen. Lisa Frizell and Sen. John Carson, expressed a desire to delay the vote on the reappointments to gather more information on the serious issues raised by Gregory’s testimony.
Gregory warned the committee about a persistent scheme of public corruption that he claims has been ongoing since the scandal first came to light in 2019. He alleged that former Chief Justice Nathan “Ben” Coats was involved in approving a controversial contract aimed at maintaining silence regarding judicial misconduct. This contract, which Gregory referred to as a “contract-for-silence,” has been a focal point of the scandal since early 2021.
During the hearing, Gregory emphasized the importance of a federal investigation, stating that the issues at hand are significant and warrant a thorough review. He articulated concerns about conflicts of interest within the state’s judicial system, particularly noting that a senior member of the Department of Justice’s Denver office is married to Colorado Supreme Court Justice Melissa Hart. Despite his efforts to engage with federal authorities, Gregory claimed he faced obstacles and was ultimately ignored by the Denver DOJ office.
Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Democrat from Denver, mentioned that she had read the entire complaint and found it deeply troubling. She described it as holding a mirror to the institution, reflecting missed opportunities for accountability. The complaint suggests that high-ranking officials, including members of the Colorado Supreme Court and the Attorney General’s Office, have been involved in actions to obstruct investigations and conceal evidence of misconduct.
The commission director, Anne Mangiardi, stated that the anonymous nature of the complaint limited the commission’s ability to provide updates or comments on its status. Despite the serious allegations, Sooter and Carpenter were reappointed by Governor Jared Polis, which has raised concerns among some legislators.
Gregory, who was dismissed from his position in January 2024, claimed his termination was in retaliation for his commitment to integrity and accountability within the judicial system. He argued that the commission’s previous handling of complaints has been inadequate, emphasizing the need for reforms that go beyond the measures already implemented through Proposition H, which aimed to change the disciplinary framework for judges in Colorado.
The controversy has intensified calls for oversight and reform within the Colorado Judicial Department. Gregory pointed out that the commission has historically handled only a few complaints each year, but that number has surged since the media began reporting on the ongoing scandal. He characterized the current situation as reminiscent of historical governmental corruption incidents, notably referencing the Ku Klux Klan’s influence in the 1920s.
As the Senate committee deliberates on the reappointments of Sooter and Carpenter, no timeline has been established for when a vote will take place. The outcome of this process remains uncertain, particularly in light of the serious allegations and the request for a federal probe into the judiciary’s alleged misconduct.
Source: Colorado Politics
