Federal Heights, Colorado – Criminal charges were filed Tuesday against Mayor Dale Sparks over alleged misdeeds during his employment with a strip club. https://adultfyi.com/read.aspx?ID=15958
Special prosecutor Joe de Raismes says Sparks violated the city’s conflict-of-interest code as well as the city’s code prohibiting a city employee from disclosing confidential information.
Sparks also is charged with complicity in a criminal enterprise – a “principal offense,” according to de Raismes.
All charges stem from Sparks’ work as a doorman at Bare Essence, which was raided April 15 by the North Metro Drug Task Force and the Federal Heights Police Department on allegations of prostitution.
The raid sparked a recall effort against Sparks and an ethics investigation by attorney Kathleen Harrington. Her report was forwarded to de Raismes to determine if criminal charges were warranted.
Harrington’s report stated that Sparks revealed the presence and identity of an undercover police officer to the owner/manager of Bare Essence and that Sparks tried to find out from a police officer and the city manager if an undercover investigation was being conducted.
Since the raid, many residents demanded Sparks resign.
When he didn’t, a recall effort was set in motion, which will be settled when voters go to the polls Nov. 7.
The charges against the mayor indicate that he knew the Bare Essence nightclub was engaging in illegal activity, said Ted May, who is leading the recall campaign against Sparks.
“This is something the city can no longer sweep under the rug,” May said.
De Raismes couldn’t be reached for comment. City Manager Chuck Reid declined to comment about the charges.
In a memo to city employees, Reid said all the charges filed against others arrested in the April 15 raid – which include municipal-code and state statute violations – have resulted in guilty pleas.
Sparks said Wednesday that the charges will not prompt him to resign.
“I still haven’t had my day in court,” he said.
In an e-mail to city employees, Sparks said he didn’t know of any illegal activities at Bare Essence.
“I am truly sorry for any embarrassment you may be feeling, or any comments you may be receiving,” Sparks said.
Mayor Pro Tem Joyce Thomas also is facing a recall because of her support of Sparks after the Bare Essence incident.
Sparks currently works with his wife at a car-rental business at Denver International Airport.