ROBERTSON PLEADS GUILTY IN PARKS AND REC PROBE
June 29, 2001

Contact: Lynn Kimbrough, 720-913-9025

Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter, Jr. has formally charged a former Deputy Director of Denver's Parks and Recreation Department following a lengthy criminal investigation.

36-year-old Charles Robertson (DOB: 12-14-64) has been charged with, and has pleaded guilty to, one count of embezzlement of public property (F5).

Although the investigation has been in a Denver Grand Jury, the charge was not brought forward as an indictment. This criminal charge was filed directly into Denver District Court on Wednesday, June 27, 2001 as part of an agreement under which Robertson agreed to plead guilty as charged.

An arrest warrant was also issued for Robertson on Wednesday, and he voluntarily surrendered at the Denver Police Department this morning, Friday, June 29, 2001. He was booked and released on a personal recognizance bond prior to his formal advisement in Denver District Court earlier this afternoon. At that time, Robertson pleaded guilty as charged to embezzlement of public property. He is scheduled to be sentenced Friday, August 10, 2001 in Denver District Courtroom 6 at 8:30 a.m.

The investigation began late last year after allegations were raised concerning Robertson that specifically involved embezzlement of public property. In pleading guilty today, Robertson admitted to embezzling more than $5,000 in property and services from the City and County of Denver between September 1, 1998 and June 15, 2001. This property included office equipment, surveillance equipment, photography equipment, fax machines, computer software, fire extinguishers, trophies, jerseys, and other equipment.

The Denver Grand Jury investigation is continuing and additional charges are possible.

*The filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual(s) committed a crime(s) under Colorado laws. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. See Colo. RPC 3.6