Voter fraud case against State Senator Pete Lee dismissed
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The voter fraud case against State Senator Peter Lee of Colorado Springs has been dismissed, according to court documents.
On August 3, 2022, the Grand Jury for the Fourth Judicial District returned an indictment on Sanford Edmund Lee, also known as Pete Lee. He was charged with "one count of providing false information as to his residence, a class 5 felony pursuant to C.R.S. §1-13-709.5," according to the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office.
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Lee's attorney had previously called for the case against him to be dismissed, saying the case against him was based largely on false information presented to the grand jury. According to the Denver Post, an investigator with the 4th judicial district attorney's office unknowingly presented inaccurate evidence which led to lee being indicted in August on charges of giving false information when casting a ballot. Specifically, using an address where he didn't actually live. A spokesperson for District Attorney Michael Allen confirmed the mistake to the Post and added that the case was being reviewed.
Lee's attorney filed a motion to dismiss the case in September. DA Michael Allen admitted that the information provided to the grand jury was wrong but said they still believed Lee lied on his ballot about where he lived and were still going to prosecute him.
Friday, 13 Investigates spoke with Lee about the dismissal, one that he says has him relieved.
"I have to compliment and acknowledge the judge who was extraordinarily well prepared, very thoughtful, very analytical, and who issued a detailed ruling, which is correct on the law and the facts," Sen. Lee said.
Senator Lee said a pivotal reason for the judges dismissal was the aforementioned mistake made by the 4th Judicial DA's office, one that Lee acknowledges wasn't done on purpose, but did influence the grand jury.
"The district attorney did not intentionally provide false information, but the fact that false information was so frequently and often cited and emphasized by the D.A. to the grand jury could not have not influenced the grand jury to indict," Sen. Lee said.
Lee has strongly advocated for criminal justice reform during his tenure as state senator from District 11. Now, he tells 13 Investigates, he has renewed empathy for those who are engaged in the criminal justice system.
"This experience has heightened my appreciation for how devastating it is to become involved in the criminal justice system. I would say that it's heightened my empathy," Sen. Lee said.
13 Investigates reached to the 4th Judicial DA's office for comment on today's dismissal. A spokesperson said the public criminal record for Lee "doesn't exist." According to court records, an El Paso County judge sealed Lee's felony charge in addition to dismissing the case.
