DENVER - In a somewhat expected move, the Denver District Attorney's office said on Monday it does not intend to file any criminal charges against embattled state legislator Rep. Laura Bradford (R-Grand Junction).
The question of the possibility of criminal charges arose last week when Denver Police announced Bradford had a gun in her car the night she was stopped for making an illegal turn in Denver on Jan. 25.
It would have been illegal for her to have a gun in her car had police investigators found her to be intoxicated, but police at the scene decided against testing her, a move that has now triggered an internal affairs investigation.
Police initially said they couldn't detain her because of a constitutional provision that protects lawmakers during session. Police later apologized for misrepresenting facts and making it appear she used her position to avoid arrest.
Without any confirmation of her level of intoxication, a successful prosecution would have been difficult if not downright impossible. Based upon the nature of the evidence, or lack thereof, Denver District Attorney's office spokesperson Lynn Kimbrough said it was not a case her office was prepared to take to trial.
The decision was announced on the same day a House Ethics Panel convened for the first time to look into the matter. Bradford was not required to attend and was not present when committee members decided upon a number of procedural questions.
The panel determined Bradford can present emails, receipts, voicemails and other evidence she deems relevant in the case.
Bradford also has until Saturday to issue a written response to the ethics panel. Monday was its first meeting.
Bradford's case has thrown into question the House GOP's one-vote advantage because she has threatened to leave the party amid the ethics probe, which she says is unnecessary.
The panel meets again next week.
(KUSA-TV © 2012 Multimedia Holdings Corporation with The Associated Press)