A Colorado Senate ethics committee convened on Friday to examine a formal complaint against Democratic Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis. The allegations, submitted by the Political Workers Guild on behalf of five former staff members, claim violations of legislative ethics and workplace practices. The complaint was filed on January 10 and has sparked significant attention due to its detailed accusations and potential implications.

Key Allegations

The complaint alleges that Sen. Jaquez Lewis violated Senate rules by failing to uphold public confidence in the Legislature’s integrity. It includes accusations of wage theft, misuse of non-disclosure agreements, campaign finance violations, and improper treatment of staff. Specifically, the Longmont Democrat is alleged to have:

Used campaign funds to pay staff for personal tasks, including yard work and bartending at a political fundraiser.

Withheld pay from an employee, creating financial strain.

Managed her office in a way that fostered mistrust and disorganization, pitting staff members against one another.

As a result of these allegations, Sen. Jaquez Lewis has been stripped of her committee assignments and is no longer allowed to have state-paid legislative aides this session.

Statements from Both Sides

In response to the allegations, Sen. Jaquez Lewis has denied any wrongdoing. She characterized the complaints as workplace grievances rooted in dissatisfaction over hours and job roles. In a statement to Colorado Newsline, she said:

“The Guild ethics complaint is made up of disgruntled workplace complaints from past staff who were unhappy about their hours or roles. These anonymous stories are blatantly untrue. I sympathize with any worker who feels mistreated, but I should not be the focus of this workplace discussion or unionization efforts.”

However, the Political Workers Guild’s complaint paints a different picture. It cites specific incidents, including a junior aide’s unexpected demotion due to reduced work hours for graduate school, which led to a loss of health benefits. Another staff member claims that unclear communication and office restructuring caused additional strain.

The complaint also highlights campaign finance concerns. Payments for campaign-related tasks allegedly went unreported in Colorado’s TRACER system, leading to a separate campaign finance complaint filed with the Secretary of State’s office.

Ethics Committee’s Role

The Senate ethics committee, chaired by Sen. Julie Gonzales (D-Denver) and vice-chaired by Sen. Cleave Simpson (R-Alamosa), is tasked with reviewing the complaint and determining whether probable cause exists. The committee’s responsibilities include:

Gathering evidence related to the allegations.

Determining by February 20 if there is probable cause to believe an ethics violation occurred.

Conducting an evidentiary hearing, should probable cause be established and requested by Sen. Jaquez Lewis.

Recommending potential disciplinary actions, such as reprimand, censure, or expulsion, to the Senate.

During Friday’s session, the committee reviewed the process for handling ethics complaints and scheduled future meetings to discuss evidence and findings.

Broader Implications

This is not the first time the Colorado Senate has dealt with ethics complaints. Last year, an ethics committee found that Sen. Faith Winter (D-Westminster) violated chamber rules after appearing intoxicated at a public meeting. The current investigation into Sen. Jaquez Lewis underscores the growing scrutiny of lawmakers’ conduct, both in office and on the campaign trail.

Sen. Jaquez Lewis has expressed frustration with the process, questioning the committee’s impartiality. She has until January 31 to formally respond to the allegations.

Looking Ahead

The ethics investigation highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining accountability and transparency within Colorado’s Legislature. While the committee’s findings remain to be seen, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical leadership and the consequences of workplace mismanagement. Observers will be closely watching the outcome, as it could set a precedent for handling similar cases in the future.

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