State Attorney General Weighs In On Bruce Verdict

State Attorney General John Suthers said Douglas Bruce was treated no differently than any other person tried for suspected tax evasion.

On Wednesday, a Denver jury found Bruce guilty on the four counts he faced including the most serious charge of attempting to influence a public official.

Bruce is an anti-tax activist who authored the Taxpayers Bill of Rights before serving briefly as an El Paso County Commissioner and State Representative.

Suthers said Bruce was given a fair trial and plenty of opportunities to prove the state wrong.

“I certainly expect Bruce to appeal this but I think both sides got their day in court and I would anticipate the verdict would be upheld,” said Suthers.

He said the investigation began when the Department of Revenue noticed Bruce failed to file personal tax returns in consecutive years. Bruce claimed that the state was targeting him because he had changed the system and made enemies.

“Mr. Bruce likes to complain about being singled out when really he’s being treated like any other citizen and this was the department of Revenue doing their job,” said Suthers.

Bruce was convicted on all counts – evading state taxes, filing a false return, attempting to influence a public servant and failing to file a return between 2005 and 2010.

Bruce said he will appeal the decision but remain silent on the conviction until then.