Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters was found guilty on Monday of seven out of ten charges related to her Colorado election interference case.
Peters, 68, was convicted of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant, one count of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty, and failing to comply with the secretary of state. However, she was acquitted of an additional count of criminal impersonation, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, and identity theft. Peters had pleaded not guilty to all charges in 2022.
After about four hours of deliberation, 21st Judicial District Judge Matthew Barrett read the jury’s verdict. The charges against Peters stem from allegations that, as the top election official in Mesa County, she helped breach the county’s election computer systems.
Prosecutors accused Peters of engaging in a deceptive scheme to influence public servants, bypass security protocols, and exceed her access to voting equipment, ultimately leading to the unauthorized distribution of confidential information.
They argued that Peters, seeking fame, became obsessed with voting issues after associating with those questioning the accuracy of the 2020 presidential election results. Her case marks the first prosecution of a local election official related to a suspected security breach tied to the 2020 election, raising concerns about the potential threat rogue election workers could pose to election security.
Peters, a Republican, has gained support from election deniers, including MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, who claims the 2020 election was rigged against former President Donald Trump. Neither Peters nor her attorney immediately responded to requests for comment.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold issued a statement saying, Tina Peters willfully compromised her own election equipment trying to prove Trump’s Big Lie. She has been found guilty of four felonies and three misdemeanors by a jury of her peers and will now face the consequences of her actions. Today’s verdict sends a clear message: we will not tolerate any effort to threaten the security of our gold standard elections. I am proud that justice for Colorado voters has been served today.