Criminal case for former Florence City Manager on delay
FLORENCE, Colo. (KRDO) -- The former Florence City Manager's criminal case is delayed due to ongoing civil litigation.
Monday afternoon, several Florence residents came to a Fremont County Courthouse, anticipating that former City Manager Mike Patterson would enter a plea. Prosecutors had offered this deal to him in June.
However, prosecutors and the defense told the judge they wanted to continue it by 30 days due to ongoing civil litigation involving Patterson and allegations of sexual misconduct.
13 Investigates previously uncovered a years-long city hall sexual harassment scandal involving Patterson. The Former Florence City council quietly fired him in August 2021.
Florence Police Department arrested and charged Patterson in November 2021 with felony stalking, misdemeanor sexual contact no consent. The long-time terminated city manager was also charged with another misdemeanor of providing alcohol to a minor last year. All of the charges are related to his alleged behavior with women he worked with at Florence City Hall.
Federal court records indicate that the City of Florence has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit filed by Florence City Clerk Jessica Hill. The federal lawsuit filed by Hill accuses the City of Florence of discrimination, sexual harassment, outrageous conduct/intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent hiring, and retaliation. It also accused Patterson of civil assault, battery, defamation, and false imprisonment. City officials and have not responded to 13 Investigates request for comment regarding the settlement.
Hill's Attorney Andrew Swan released this statement regarding the case to 13 Investigates on Monday afternoon.
"I'm relieved that the City of Florence and Michael Patterson have decided to resolve this matter on favorable terms," Attorney Andrew Swan said.
Former Florence planning technician Shay Ardrey's federal lawsuit is still pending against the City of Florence and Patterson.
13 Investigates spoke with some Florence residents who questioned why the criminal case has anything to do with the civil suits.
"I am kind of surprised at this point that there wasn't something more concrete for Florence to sink its teeth into," resident Tim Jordan said.
The Special Prosecutor from the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office said they had no comment when 13 Investigates asked.
But many residents in Florence still wait for answers and hope to see changes come out of the cases.
"Accountability of some sort on Mike Patterson's part," Janelle Dodd said. "Procedural changes within city hall, whether it be their HR management, personnel changes, I don't know whatever needs to happen to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else."
More Coverage:
13 Investigates uncovers city sex harassment scandal
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13 Investigates: Attorney for fired Florence City Manager Mike Patterson responds to allegations
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Fired Florence City Manager, accused of inappropriate behavior, contemplating plea deal
