Prosecutors won’t charge former lawmaker with assault

Prosecutors won’t file assault charges against the man who authored Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights and was put on probation for a 2012 felony tax evasion conviction.

Douglas Bruce was in court in Denver on April 10 addressing prosecutors’ claim that he violated his probation. As he walked out of the courthouse, he was accused of grabbing a cell phone from Colorado Springs Government Watch executive director Dede Laugesen as she recorded video.

The Denver Post reported Monday that the Denver City Attorney’s Office and the district attorney agreed not to pursue charges last week. Assistant director of prosecution and code enforcement Melissa Drazen-Smith said there was “no likelihood of conviction” for the charge.

Bruce is suspected of six probation violations and is due back in court July 13.

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