Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Aide says she redirected staff

Political chief admits employees worked with issue panel

Stuart Steers, Rocky Mountain News

Published May 3, 2006 at midnight

Text size  

More Airlines & Aerospace

More stories »

A top aide to gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman admitted on the witness stand Tuesday that she told Holtzman staffers they should work on behalf of an issue committee that stands accused of illegally coordinating its activities with the campaign.

Laura Teal, political director for the Holtzman campaign, said she had defied her own campaign manager and told employees they should work closely with If C Wins, You Lose, an issue committee that ran TV ads opposing Referendum C last fall. Under Colorado campaign finance law, political candidates are not supposed to be directly involved with issue committees.

"I instructed my staff to help out Andy George," Teal said. George was one of two employees of the If C Wins, You Lose committee.

The trial was prompted by allegations that the Holtzman campaign illegally created the If C Wins, You Lose committee to promote Holtzman's candidacy. The charges were brought by veteran lobbyist Steve Durham, a supporter of Holtzman's Republican rival for the gubernatorial nomination, Congressman Bob Beauprez.

George was a star witness for Durham, and he testified that the If C Wins, You Lose committee was created and run by the Holtzman campaign. The committee produced TV ads last fall that featured Holtzman denouncing Ref C.

Under the law, Holtzman could appear in such an ad, but he couldn't mention his candidacy and his campaign couldn't run the committee that sponsored the ad. Holtzman has denied that his campaign coordinated its activities with the If C Wins, You Lose group.

Durham's attorney, Scott Gessler, accused Teal of trying to prevent George from testifying last week by arranging for him to be arrested in Douglas County on several outstanding traffic violations. Teal denied the charge and said she did nothing to cause his arrest.

When George was hired by the If C Wins, You Lose committee, Teal said, she told employees of the Holtzman campaign to work closely with him.

Under questioning, she acknowledged that Holtzman campaign manager Dick Leggitt had instructed the staff not to work with the issue committee.

The trial concluded Tuesday, and attorneys for each side will submit written closing arguments May 12.