Douglas Bruce Gets 180 Days In Jail And Probation
Douglas Bruce is known as a former state legislator, El Paso County commissioner and author of the TABOR amendment. He’ll soon be known for having a felony record as well.
On Thursday, Denver District Court Judge Anne Mansfield sentenced Bruce, 62, to six months in jail and six years of probation. Bruce was convicted of tax evasion, filing a false return and attempting to influence a public servant. He also was found guilty of a misdemeanor of failing to file a tax return.
Prosecutors requested a sentence of two years in prison and three years of probation.
“The days of Mr. Bruce being secret and deceptive should no longer be at issue,” said prosecutor Robert Shapiro. “We’re satisfied with the court sentence. The jail sentence hopefully will be a deterrent to him.”
In addition to probation and jail time, Bruce must disclose personal and business financial information to the Economic Crimes Unit and the Department of Revenue, as well as pay his income tax for the three years he did not pay.
Shapiro said Bruce also may have to pay up to $50,000 in restitution. That amount is for his overdue tax plus interest and penalty, and for the state’s cost of prosecuting him. But the actual amount of restitution is pending a review of the prosecution’s cost figures by defense attorney David Lane. Mansfield says Lane has until March 15 to complete his review.
“I think this entire prosecution was launched because he’s Doug Bruce,” said Lane. “I think the judge had a lot of competing interests to consider.”
Mansfield ordered Bruce to serve two consecutive 90-day sentences in Denver County Jail. Bruce will be allowed to turn himself in at 8:30 Friday morning. Mansfield intended to take Bruce into custody Monday but granted a request from Lane for extra time.
Bruce was convicted of hiding millions of dollars in a what prosecutors describe as a sham charity set up to avoid taxes. Bruce maintains his innocence.
“Why would anyone put $2 million in a legitimate charity just to save $10,000 in state taxes? It doesn’t make sense,” said Bruce. “They’re spending twice that much to prosecute me.”
Bruce, a former state lawmaker, said state officials went after him for promoting smaller government. He vowed to appeal.
“We have dozens of grounds of appeal,” said Bruce. “I wasn’t allowed to subpoena witnesses at my trial. What will they do if I win on appeal? How will I get those 180 days back?”
Bruce may also be ordered to attend counseling.
Mansfield and Shapiro scolded Bruce for rude behavior during the trial in which he served as his own defense attorney, and said he showed no regret or remorse. While prosecutors said a prison sentence might be the best punishment for Bruce, Mansfield said Bruce’s relatively clean record and lack of harm to others made probation more appropriate.
