Former Lakeside police chief pleads guilty to embezzlement, misconduct

A 77-year-old Jefferson County man who served as mayor, police chief and fire chief of the small town of Lakeside pleaded guilty Tuesday to embezzlement and official misconduct in a bribery scheme. car rollover.

Robert Joel Gordanier pleaded guilty to a felony and a misdemeanor and was sentenced to four years of probation, the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office said.

Gordanier’s other charges — two counts of embezzlement, two counts of official misconduct and felony theft — were dismissed as part of the plea deal.

Gordanier also received a deferred sentence and must pay the city $26,088.

Investigators accused Gordanier of purchasing police vehicles from other jurisdictions and selling them to his daughter, former city clerk Brenda Hamilton, for a fraction of their market value. Hamilton allegedly resold the vehicles to make a profit.

A grand jury investigation began after CBS Colorado first reported on the scheme.

Gordanier cannot hold any office “or hold any employment of public trust” as mayor, city council member or police officer while on probation, the prosecutor’s office said.

Gordanier’s attorney declined to comment on the case.

Hamilton has pleaded not guilty in the case and is due in court on January 29.