Figure in Beauprez ad controversy awaits investigation results

Stuart Steers, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 15, 2007 at midnight

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A man who was at the center of a political firestorm a few months ago is still waiting to find out if he will be charged with a crime.

Cory Voorhis, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, is being investigated as the suspected source of information from a government database that was given to Bob Beauprez's unsuccessful campaign for governor.

Use of the confidential database for purposes other than law enforcement is against the law.

Beauprez used the information for a series of TV ads attacking Gov. Bill Ritter's record as Denver district attorney.

Because Voorhis was well known in Denver law enforcement circles, oversight of the case was transferred to the U.S. Attorney's office in Wyoming. That office is now waiting for agents of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the FBI to conclude their investigation.

John Powell, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney, said they're waiting for a few more interviews to be completed, and then "we'll make a determination."

"It's a little more complicated than it seems. We want to make sure we've got everything covered," he said.

Voorhis did not respond to a request for comment. An ICE spokesman would not confirm whether Voorhis is on leave from the agency.

The allegation that Beauprez used illegally obtained information became an issue in the fall. Beauprez never named the source of the information, but described him as a heroic "whistleblower" who was disgusted with Ritter's record.

Ritter then blasted Beauprez for defending someone who had apparently broken the law.

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