Prosecutors claim that after Peters sided with those who contested the 2020 election, he developed an obsession with electoral matters.
In addition to one count of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, three counts of attempting to influence a public servant, first-degree official misconduct, duty violations, and failure to comply with the secretary of state were all found to have been committed by Peters, 68.
She was found not guilty on one count of criminal impersonation, one count of conspiracy involving criminal impersonation, and one count of identity theft. In 2022, Peters entered a not guilty plea to all charges.
Approximately four hours after the jury deliberated, Judge Matthew Barrett declared the verdict. The case started about 2.5 years ago and involved claims that Peters, as Mesa County’s top election official, helped to compromise the computer systems used for county elections.
The prosecution claimed that after Peters sided with people who questioned the validity of the 2020 presidential election results, he became fixated on election-related matters and sought fame.
This case raises concerns about the possible misuse of insider knowledge by rogue election workers, as it is the first time a local election official has been prosecuted in connection with a security breach related to the 2020 election.
Election deniers, like Mike Lindell, the founder of My Pillow, who maintained that the 2020 election was rigged against former President Donald Trump, threw their support behind Republican Peters.
“Tina Peters willfully compromised her own election equipment trying to prove Trump’s Big Lie,” said Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold. A jury of her peers found her guilty of four felonies and three misdemeanors, and she will now have to deal with the repercussions of her actions.
“The decision rendered today makes it very clear that we will not put up with any attempts to jeopardize the integrity of our gold standard elections. The fact that Colorado voters have received justice today makes me proud.”
October 3 is Peters’ scheduled sentencing date.
