Probation hearing continued for tax activist Douglas Bruce

Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights author Douglas Bruce appeared in court Monday, defending himself against accusations he violated his probation.

The hearing was continued to Oct. 8.

Bruce was convicted in 2012 of tax evasion, filing a false tax return and trying to influence a public servant. Probation officers say he’s violated terms of a six-year economic probation sentence that require him to disclose his finances. Part of the violation, according to court documents, has to do with a real estate deal he made with Colorado Springs city council member Helen Collins.

Bruce hasn’t commented on the probation case, but has said he’s being targeted because he helped pass the state’s bill of rights for taxpayers.

Bruce represented himself in court Monday, cross-examining his probation officer and calling himself a model probationer.