Federal Heights mayor acquitted in strip-club case

Justin Coons, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 2, 2007 at midnight

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Federal Heights Mayor Dale Sparks was acquitted of all charges this afternoon in municipal court, stemming from his employment as a doorman at a strip club.

Sparks, mayor since 1999, had worked at the club, The Bare Essence, for a little more than a year, from April 2005 to 2006.

During the time, an anonymous informant tipped investigators that the club was providing lap dances to customers.

According to Federal Heights law, lap dances are illegal, and dancers must stay at least 3 feet away from customers.

Following an investigation, the club was raided in April 2006.

After being caught in the raid, Sparks was accused of complicity, knowing that the dances were going on and refusing to come to authorities.

He was also accused of a conflict of interest, because he did not file a formal notice with the Federal Heights City Council stating that he had started working there.

The third count filed against him revolved around an incident in the club, when he had allegedly revealed the identity of an undercover detective to the owner of the club.

Sparks was acquitted of all charges.

"I can put it behind me, my family can put it behind us and 99 percent of the citizens of this city can put it behind us," Sparks said. "There will always be that faction of people who will be angry about this.

"Hopefully we can go on with our lives. I plan on going on with mine."

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