Pueblo County GOP leaders call for audit after financial irregularities surface

Several Pueblo County Republican leaders have ordered an audit of the party’s finances amidst allegations that the party’s former treasurer, Jeff Fogg, mishandled the party’s money.

Acting party chair Victor Head announced during the GOP’s monthly meeting on Tuesday that the party’s bank transactions and accounting records have been submitted to an independent auditor. Last week, party leaders said financial irregularities surfaced after a check bounced. Brian Mater, a member of the party’s advisory committee, along with Head investigated the incident and found several discrepancies.

Party leaders said they uncovered several other returned checks, large cash withdrawals and deposits, and expenses that didn’t appear to be connected to party business. They also found the county’s bank account had been moved among multiple banks and found bank transactions that had not appeared in financial reports.

“Essentially there’s financial discrepancies, potentially money missing. Potentially unauthorized withdrawals and deposits. And that’s what came to our attention,” Head said.

But many Republicans said the accusations shouldn’t have been shared until the results of the audit were complete.

“And then if there’s something wrong we’ll go after the party that’s guilty,” said Pueblo County Republican Tom Ready. “We want all our funds restored.”

Party leaders told KRDO NewsChannel 13 they’re not sure how much money is missing, but said that Fogg resigned last week after he was confronted about the allegations.

As Republicans await the results of the audit, they’re also waiting to find out if they’ll be able to keep their party headquarters at 108 Lincoln St. Right now, the party is subleasing the building from Fogg.

On a separate note, Pueblo County Republican Chair Becky Mizel resigned from her post Tuesday night, citing differences with the the party’s executive committee. Mizel said, “[A]s we face some near term administrative challenges, it is imperative that we operate in the unison that has bound us through our many challenges of the past. My views of how to resolve these challenges differ with the majority of the Executive Committee when unity is most needed.” Mizel also said her resignation allows her to take care of family medical issues.

Party leaders said they don’t believe Mizel had anything to do with the financial irregularities now under investigation.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 spoke with Fogg’s attorney, Nicholas Gradisar. He said Fogg denies the allegations and is waiting for the audit results.

Head said those results should be available by next week.