Prosecutor quits after allegation
Denver officer admits 'fixing' speeding ticket
By Brian Maass, CBS4 News
Monday, May 12, 2008
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An assistant Denver city attorney has resigned and a Denver police officer has been disciplined after the cop admitted "fixing" a speeding ticket for the prosecutor's boyfriend.
The Denver City Attorney's Office says Dani Eliscu resigned March 17 after being confronted about the ticket fixing.
"That is not OK, not acceptable and unethical to do anything like that," said Vince DiCroce, director of prosecution for the Denver City Attorney's Office.
The incident began Feb. 18, when traffic officer James Gates issued a speeding ticket at West Sixth Avenue and Kalamath Street to Jeremy Rosenthal, Eliscu's boyfriend.
According to the sworn statement from Gates, Rosenthal "told me his wife worked for the City Attorney's Office and she was a prosecutor. He asked if that changed anything." The statement and other information were obtained by CBS4 under a Colorado Open Records Act request.
Gates said he told Rosenthal that if Rosenthal's wife was indeed a city prosecutor, she would know where to find the officer. He then issued the speeding ticket.
Later that morning, according to Gates' statement, he received a call from Eliscu saying the officer had ticketed her husband and "she asked if I could help her out."
"I then did as I would have done for any prosecutor and destroyed the ticket due to the relationship and the close working we do with the prosecution. I would have done this for any one of them. She told me not to tell anyone because she would get in trouble if anyone found out."
"It is completely unacceptable," said DiCroce. "No prosecutor should be treated differently because of their position as a prosecutor. It is not standard operating procedure. The attorneys here are very ethical and there are clear ethical boundaries. This was wrong and inappropriate."
The ticket fixing, and the suggestion that this happens regularly, were troubling to Elena Nunez, of Colorado Common Cause, a government watchdog group.
"Everyone should be treated equally under the law," said Nunez. "To give one set of people special treatment means we are not treated equally under the law. It just raises the question of how the law is applied."
Gates was issued a written reprimand last month for engaging in "conduct prejudicial" and "conduct unbecoming an officer."
Eliscu resigned after she was confronted about the ticket fixing, according to DiCroce.
It was not the first time she was accused of using her power to avoid prosecution.
She was reprimanded last year after she tried to use her position to get out of tickets for having her dogs running loose in a park.
Eliscu did not respond to requests for comment. Her attorney, Phil Cherner, said "Ms. Eliscu did nothing wrong in any shape or fashion." Cherner declined to answer any questions.
Rosenthal, a Denver attorney, wrote a cease and desist letter to CBS4 last Friday, threatening legal action after learning the story would be made public.
"This story is false and publishing any part of it would irreparably injure the reputation of Ms. Eliscu or me . . ."
He did not specify what parts of the officer's account were allegedly false.
His letter went on to say, "Ms. Eliscu has damaging information about the city and city personnel and this is an attempt to damage Ms. Eliscu's credibility. It is also an attempt to retaliate against Ms. Eliscu for disclosures that she has already made."
Contact Brian Maass at bmaass@cbs.com
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May 13, 2008
1:14 a.m.
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RememberThis writes:
Does this really surprise anyone??
May 13, 2008
2:06 a.m.
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windbourne writes:
Pretty harsh, but glad to hear it. I am in a protracted court battle with my Ex and have caught her lawyer lying and then witholding evidence that we asked for (for example my ex's initial checkbook), as well as lying to the judge in a courtroom ("that has never come up" when we have emails sent to her and an email coming back; stupid that she said).
My ex told me a number of things beforehand including that Arapahoe county is a disaster to divorce in, that she would extend this for years (we are on year 3 divorce on a original 1 year marriage), that her lawyer would lie for her (and this prior to the filing), and that her lawyer was good friends with the judge that would be appointed to us and that he would side with her lawyer just because of that. Having caught the lawyer in lies and fraud, I have to say that I am concerned about the last item (do Arapahoe county judge play with the lawyers? Hmmmmmm). I have now lined up the evidence against the lawyer WRT to lying and fraud and will be sending this to the bar just prior to the court. I figure that the judge is owed the ability to do the right thing, but I will still want the bar to look in afterwards WRT his actions.
As to the GD lawyer, I can only hope that the bar is above board, but somehow, I doubt it. As an EMT from the 80's, I worked in Ft. Collins, I have seen far too much. Ppl like Ernie Telez was able to get off scot free WRT to beating ppl. Heard about the city attorney allowing a number of police brutalities would just laugh when presented with evidence from the ER of extreme police behaviour (the same attorneys that convicted Tim Masters).
May 13, 2008
5:55 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
It's like the child molesting priests; makes it so much harder on the many good ones who have integrity above reproach. He only made it harder for the many in this office who carry themselves with honor. What a foolish man to have sacrificed the honor of so many good people who do one hell of a job.
May 13, 2008
6:51 a.m.
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DahmersCookbook writes:
PIGs will never help 95% of us in our lifetimes, but they will harass 95% of us over five times in our life. Strange facts but easy to see how corrupt the system really is. Is there A decent cop? Surely not in Denver! The judges are even worse, look where their money is (Judy Arculeta, Jeffoco scum).
May 13, 2008
7:06 a.m.
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holekeeper writes:
I just sit back and laugh at this whole story. ok first ticket fixing, not good but we all know it happens and should be diciplined but anybody think its funny she quit when the cop stayed? I do, second the boyfriend! a cease and desist letter to CBS4 what w wormy little jerk! I mean really. There is something more to this story and I hope we find out soon. Man do I like to see lawyers squrm
May 13, 2008
7:19 a.m.
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Spencer writes:
yea you're right Louie, it's exactly like child molesting priests. LOL
May 13, 2008
7:55 a.m.
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Earl writes:
hey she could move right into ditters inner circle at the capitol now. she proved her self to be in the shadow of ditter when he was DA.
May 13, 2008
7:58 a.m.
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davies writes:
Along with reconsidering her decision to try and intervene, maybe the newly unemployed DA should reassess her relationship with the boyfriend, whose desire to get out of a speeding ticket ended up causing her to lose her job.
May 13, 2008
8:20 a.m.
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ToriEllis007 writes:
The whole conversation between the cop and Rosenthal, per this article, is hilarious. "Gates said he told Rosenthal that if Rosenthal's wife was indeed a city prosecutor, she would know where to find the officer. " LOL, good stuff.
May 13, 2008
8:21 a.m.
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Gene writes:
Ritter wasn't a quitter. His accuser was bitter, after spending his money defending against Ritter.
May 13, 2008
8:23 a.m.
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gcrez writes:
Ticket fixing! Nothing new, how about all the sports stars in Denver that get away with all kinds of crimes?
May 13, 2008
8:46 a.m.
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Spencer writes:
you would think she would have learned a lesson after the dog incident. Good riddance, sounds like she feels like she should be given preferential treatment. What is that called, false sense of entitlement?
May 13, 2008
8:49 a.m.
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Hola writes:
Scum bags. Dani Eliscu should be disbarred. She was in the habit of acting above the law, 'She was reprimanded last year after she tried to use her position to get out of tickets for having her dogs running loose in a park.'
Rosenthal is a real charmer too. 'Don't mess with me cop. My woman's a DA!'
Shmucks, crooks and liars. So very happy Dani got fired.
May 13, 2008
9:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
happymike44 writes:
You can't hold people toone standard and then a different set of rules for heself.This is what makes me distrust the legal system.Because each person in the system has their on agenda.So it looks bad because some people think they are above the law.The rules should be the same for everyone.No matter what or how rich you are.
May 13, 2008
9:14 a.m.
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PajamaPulitzer writes:
DiCroce says this is "not SOP". If that's true then why is the ticket-destroying process so streamlined? One phone call and no more ticket.
I'm sure all parties are sorry; sorry that they got caught.
May 13, 2008
9:17 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Davies, happymike44, great observations.
May 13, 2008
9:26 a.m.
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gs writes:
Could a reporter talk to Ellicu's and Rosenthal's neighbors? I'll bet they are very painful to live around. Above the law. Sense of entitlement. All that. Glad to have her gone. I wonder if this is the Juvanal (sp) Court DA that prosecuted my son and was late to court and berated by the judge and then wouldn't think of negotiating the charge of throwing tennis balls off the roof of Carson Elementary school.
May 13, 2008
9:27 a.m.
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Dick_Tater writes:
Isn't this what it is all about? People helping people...just not you.
May 13, 2008
9:28 a.m.
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Barron writes:
Wow. Imagine sacrificing your career over a parking ticket. Amazing.
May 13, 2008
9:30 a.m.
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WhadUsay writes:
Regardless of everything else - I believe they are no longer boyfriend/girlfriend but husband & wife. I'm not completely familiar with Colorado law but if you hold yourself out as husband and wife then you are now common law husband and wife. Congratulations to you both! Look at all the money you have saved on a big expensive wedding.
May 13, 2008
9:35 a.m.
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Lowtaxequalsfreedom writes:
Oh the privileged class we call bureaucrats. When will we learn?
May 13, 2008
9:41 a.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
"The attorneys here are very ethical and there are clear ethical boundaries."
Obviously, that is a lie.
May 13, 2008
9:54 a.m.
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The_Punnisher writes:
Hmm, must be a lot of LIARS, ( oops, I mean LAWYERS ) on the RMN staff....
Censorship is an ugly thing.
My original post disappeared. I wonder why....
Oh, well:
What is the difference between a Catfish and a Lawyer?
One is a trash eating, slimy, low life bottom bottom feeder...
The other is a fish.
PERJURY IS A CRIME. How about jail time and disbarment for starters?
May 13, 2008
9:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
farsidefan writes:
I remember the days when Tilly Bishop ( a legislator ) would drive home to Grand Jct for the week end. The State Patrol would radio on ahead to alert its' officers that he was heading west and to let him go. He passed me a few times and he must have been going around 90-100 mph..
But hey, no special treatment. The CSP was afraid of having their budget cut in retaliation for tickets to legislators of either party. True story.
May 13, 2008
10:09 a.m.
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OhBrother writes:
speeding ticket? what are you guys complaining about, they could have all been getting drunk on the clock and driving around company cars on our dollar. Ahhhh, to be a law man working for the city.....livin the dream
May 13, 2008
10:14 a.m.
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gs writes:
Exactly WadUsay! Great Point. Do you think they filed their tax return's married filing separate? Someone feel like notifying the IRS?
May 13, 2008
10:18 a.m.
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goodheart writes:
It is quite interesting that people see the presidential election as a call for change when in their own cities and states the corruption is the same if not much worse. Having judges or police investigated by their peers is worthless as they all cover up for each other. They torture the regular person most of the time for no reason because they can and are proud of it. Protect and serve is such a joke. The legal system backs them regardless of their actions because they are even more corrupt. There is no justice. Just the biased legal system that is so far from just that you all should be afraid. Lawyers are out for themselves alone as shown so clearly by the DA and lawyer boyfriend here. Remember, judges used to be lawyers so why would they suddenly have morals?
As a middle-aged middle-class Caucasian woman, with a simple quiet life, I am afraid to death of them all - cops, lawyers & judges. If you are not in their club you are available to abuse. In a few days the lawyer, DA and cop will all be employed and doing the same thing all over again because their peers, the people who govern, protect them to avoid being outed. I hope the newspapers and TV keep following this. I suspect that will not be the case.
May 13, 2008
10:25 a.m.
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Monica030 writes:
It's funny because some people were actually surprised to learn that we are not all treated equally under the law.
At least he still gets out of the ticket.
May 13, 2008
10:30 a.m.
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airbornebigfoot writes:
Its another case of Just Us.
there is no justice in America anymore.
The officers slip up, saying "I would have done this for any of THEM", proves exactly what we all know,
There are two standards of law enforcement in this country.
JUST US & Justice.
if your a normal working class kinda person, guess which one you are going to receive?
May 13, 2008
10:56 a.m.
Suggest removal
mt writes:
Cops in general don't like prosecutors but they have to work with them. If a prosecutor wants something done the cop does it or faces possible career ending consequences. Everybody hates the cops and thinks they are all corrupt. Have they ever actually hurt you or done anything to you? Do you belive every embellished story the news prints? Did they bust you when you were breaking the law and because of that they are the bad guys? Cops have to stick together because most of the general public hates them for doing their jobs. Give the guy a break and try understanding what it is like to do his job before you start bashing him for doing it.
May 13, 2008
10:57 a.m.
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Cwillyrun1 writes:
The attorney's office must think people are stupid by saying their office is ethical. DiCroce should've been pressed to explain how there's ethics in this, or in the comment that the officer does this all the time.... probably meaning others in the attorney's office are included? Why didn't the officer get fired for basically subverting the law? And is there a police review on tickets that end up being "torn up"? How is it an officer can go back and tear a ticket up after it's issued? James Gates needs to be watched, or maybe he just needs to be a code enforcement officer since he can't be trusted to obey the law he swore to uphold. Eliscu and Rosenthal should both be disbarred for their actions that are in contrast to what they're supposed to uphold or obey.
But this is about Denver, and with that, I'm not surprised.
May 13, 2008
10:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
RickyLee writes:
I'm SURE this is the only time this has ever happened....
Yet another in a long and fast growing list of reasons not to trust the "authorities" or the "justice system". Just like the scumbag El Paso County DA who drinks, not a little bit, on the job AND drives a county-owned vehicle. All these worthless scumbags
would eagerly fry you or me for this type of stuff, but it's OK for them. The big double standard applies here.
May 13, 2008
10:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
Cwillyrun1 writes:
By the way.........
Mr Rosenthal, yours and Ms Eliscu's reputations weren't harmed with this story, they were only confirmed before the public.
May 13, 2008
11:01 a.m.
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RickyLee writes:
Hey mt.
"Doing his job" doesn't include fixing tickets for cronies.
Spare us your bleeding-heart lecture, it's worthless, just like this DA and cop.
May 13, 2008
11:05 a.m.
Suggest removal
chuckyg writes:
With the drunk DA story in The Springs and this story, I find it hard to believe any Colorado prosecutors anymore. Our system of justice for the "People of Colorado" is so corrupted it makes me sick.
May 13, 2008
11:38 a.m.
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Heidi writes:
They could at least apologize for allowing themselves to be placed in that situation, as the Springs DA did.
May 13, 2008
11:39 a.m.
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davies writes:
Wow - there are so many people writing here about the lack of justice. Did any of you notice that the DA lost her job? That's a pretty substantial price to pay for trying to fix a speeding ticket.
I'm going to take a guess here and surmise that many of these lawyer-baiting, no-justice-for-the-little-guy, everybody-is-corrupt, complainer types out there are probably victims of their own bad judgement, paid a price before the legal system, and now want to wallow in self-pity.
Like Bruce Willis said: "Help - Somebody call the WAAAHHHMBULENCE!"
May 13, 2008
11:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
timeandagain writes:
Yes, this is must be the same Dani Eliscu that was reprimanded for trying to flash her badge to get out of a dog off leash ticket in City Park one year ago. Wow, she must think her role as a civil servant comes with all sorts of perks! What and entitled, worthless woman. She ought to be disbarred!
May 13, 2008
11:49 a.m.
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gs writes:
A dog off the leash in Denver City Park? That seems kind of stupid.
May 13, 2008
11:50 a.m.
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chuckyg writes:
Davies:
Sounds like your the complainer. She has resigned, didn't you even read the story? You must work for a DA that is a honest,upstanding member of the justice system. Please spar me your guesses. This won't be the last story like this. The Legal system is very corrupted, many Judges own Alcohol treatment programs.
May 13, 2008
11:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
Ashley writes:
Garbage. Complete and utter trash. Very good observation about making it harder for the ethical police officers and DA's to do their jobs. I hope the offending officer got ripped a new one by his police chief.
May 13, 2008
12:01 p.m.
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indisbelief writes:
chuckyg..."many judges own alcohol treatment programs"
Name one.
May 13, 2008
12:13 p.m.
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RickyLee writes:
Davies, wake up. The worthless DA resigned. That's quite different from "losing her job", as you put it.
Let's have a look at some of her peers....The El Paso county DA who drinks six or seven beers on the job then drives a county-owned
vehicle.
Guv. Critter and his "agricultural tresspass" scheme to avoid the requirement of reporting ILLEGAL ALIENS to I.C.E.
The two scumbag prosecuters, now district judges both of them, who railroaded Tim Masters.
I wonder if any of these idiots ever heard of the principle
"lead by example"? This is yet another example of how the "authorities" think they're above the law, while frying the common folk with that very same law.
May 13, 2008
12:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
AC writes:
mt -- the reason people feel the way they do about this is because so often they see the cops ignoring the very same laws they give you a ticket for breaking. Speeding and traffic laws are the most obvious example. They'll write you a ticket for going over 45 on Santa Fe, for example, but they themselves will drive it at 60. It engenders disrespect. I've heard cops on TV say they would not ticket another officer, even from out of state, as "professional courtesy." That's wrong.
May 13, 2008
12:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
RickyLee writes:
....AND....the cop is on record as saying; "I then did as as I would have done for any prosecuter and destroyed the ticket..."
I guess he's probably the only cop that holds those high morals...
Yeah, right.
May 13, 2008
12:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
POHA writes:
"Everyone should be treated equally under the law," said Nunez. "To give one set of people special treatment means we are not treated equally under the law. It just raises the question of how the law is applied."
YES, this is how it _should_ be. And obviously I'm not the only one who recognizes that this is how it _IS._
Denver County is notorious for its crooked justice system. You should check out the jail/prison system...
Reminds me of that bumper sticker, "IF you're not enraged, you're not paying attention!"
May 13, 2008
12:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
Marshdale writes:
Ricky Lee for your info gov Critter is not the only gov who has employed such tactics to avoid an agricultural disaster. Just about every state in the union does it. Its reality dude. Get used to it. Are you willing to pay $10.00 per pound for lettuce because most of it rotted in the field because there was no one to pick it? So how did we get from crooked DA's to illegals anyway? LOL
May 13, 2008
12:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
chuckyg writes:
indisbelief: Do your own homework, you wont believe me anyways.
Not only Alcohol classes, DV classes, Anger Managment classes
I will name 2 that I know of: Rmoms, Amend
May 13, 2008
12:54 p.m.
Suggest removal
KaySieverding writes:
I was prosecuted by former Steamboat assistant D.A. Elizabeth Wittemyer. She did not even have an affidavit of probable cause and refused to say what the probable cause was. After I pled 'not guilty' she dismissed the case but she didn't comply with the required procedures for dismissing a criminal action. Instead she gave a press interview and announced that it was too expensive to have a trial and claimed there was probable cause. The reason that she prosecuted me was to cover up for the fact that former city council president Kevin Bennett built in violation of the development code at 701 princeton Ave in Steamboat. Anyone can see that there are 4 buildings on the Bennetts' 701 princeton ave property and there are many records showing that new residential units were added in 2000, but the tax rolls in Routt County show only one building there built in 2000. Because we lived next door, I complained to the City of Steamboat that Bennetts were building extra buildings not allowed by law so they prosecuted me under false premises. Wittemyer's husband is a real estate developer who was helped by Kevin Bennett. She prosecuted me for corrupt reasons. She bought insurance from Lloyds of London which is not even authorized to sell professional liability insurance in CO as shown by the state insurance department web site. Lloyds bills show a discussion of case assignment issues after which my case was transfered to Edward Nottingham. I filed a motion in federal court asking for the probable cause as to why I was prosecuted in state court. The magistrate's clerk called Hall & Evans, the lawyers for Lloyds and Wittemyer and said that they wouldn't have to say why I was prosecuted. Colorado Judge Garrecht wrote that the dismissal of the criminal charges was not a 'concession of innocence'. There is no way to prove innocence, that is presumed. Judge Garrecht predicted that I would never be able to find a constitutional lawyer. Judge Nottingham put me in jail without criminal charges because I refused to accept a criminal label without a criminal hearing. Wittemyer ruined my life for her own greed so that she and her husband could try to sell low value land they bought as the "stagecoach ski area' for 7 + times what they paid for it. They advertised the land in the WSJ for $20 million Judge Garrecht said I "molested" Jane Bennett but she herself said there was no offensive touching and I was never ever alone with her and we never ever had any physical contact. She admitted under oath that I hadn 't called her in years and hadn't been following her. On the day Judge Garrecht claimed I molested Jane Bennett we were 30 feet apart and she was with three men. How can you molest someone from a distance of 30 feet? I told this story to a refugee from Africa and he said that that is exactly how the law is conducted in Somalia.
May 13, 2008
12:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
happymike44 writes:
Well it is to bad she had to lose her job over something so stupid as this.But I have had a run in with the police and it was really scary to the point the officer put a gun in my face.I am deaf and can't always know what is going on.We went to court and the judge dismissed the ticket when my father started talking of the abuse I suffered as he was a passenger in the car and witnessed it.Now when I got mugged the cop who responded was great.He stopped by a checked to see how I was doing.They never did get my wallet or watch back.But they were great at telling me call if anything odd is going on.It helped me feel safe at home.
May 13, 2008
12:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
happymike44 writes:
Well it is to bad she had to lose her job over something so stupid as this.But I have had a run in with the police and it was really scary to the point the officer put a gun in my face.I am deaf and can't always know what is going on.We went to court and the judge dismissed the ticket when my father started talking of the abuse I suffered as he was a passenger in the car and witnessed it.Now when I got mugged the cop who responded was great.He stopped by a checked to see how I was doing.They never did get my wallet or watch back.But they were great at telling me call if anything odd is going on.It helped me feel safe at home.
May 13, 2008
1:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
Heidi writes:
happymike,
When you had told that mugging story several times in the past, you claimed that no one cared enough to help you. Now you are saying that the cop made you feel safe and stopped by to check to see how you were doing later. Good for him.
May 13, 2008
1:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
ezekiel777 writes:
"I then did as I would have done for any prosecutor and destroyed the ticket due to the relationship and the close working we do with the prosecution. I would have done this for any one of them. She told me not to tell anyone because she would get in trouble if anyone found out."
this is a quote from a denver police officer. look what it reveals of the Denver Police willingness and expectancy to engage in this duplicity. this is no one-time affair but rather a long, ongoing practice of departmental corruption.
"ticket's fixed here! get yer tickets fixed here!"
May 13, 2008
2:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
RickyLee writes:
Marshdale....birds of a feather...
Critter was DA and (trying to)pulling the wool over the eyes of his boss,
THE PEOPLE, just like these scumbags and the others I mentioned.
That correlation is quite relevant here, whether you like it or not.
I suppose you have complete faith in the "justice" system.
May 13, 2008
2:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
davies writes:
chuckyg and RickyLee:
Yes the story says she resigned. She was not fired.
Somehow, I got the impression that her decision to resign had something to do with the ticket-fixing matter; silly me. I wish I had your reading comprehension skills. My bad.
May 13, 2008
2:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
davies writes:
That was sarcasm.
May 13, 2008
2:46 p.m.
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Heidi writes:
davies, the phrase "forced to resign" entered my mind.
May 13, 2008
3 p.m.
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Scott writes:
Now don't anyone worry about this specific people's prostitute (DA) getting canned/resigned or whatever. It will now hook up with one of the local brothels, Sawaya, Fricky, etc., and use its knowledge in sending scum to jail to now get scum off. Actually, this prostitute is probably going to make beau coup more $$$$$ getting scum off.
Scott
May 13, 2008
3:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
zivo24 writes:
I remember when Eliscu got busted by one of the news stations over the dog running loose indicent.
It was evident at that time that she had some serious ego and ethical issues. Good riddance to her.
As the son of a retired Denver police officer, I do not believe that the actions of the officer are as "par for the course" as he would like to believe.
He was action on his own volition and needs to accept responsibility for it.
May 13, 2008
3:27 p.m.
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davies writes:
Heidi, that's what I thought too, because the story says: "Eliscu resigned after she was confronted about the ticket fixing."
But I have been admonished to "read the story", which if I had done correctly I apparently would have understood that she didn't "lose her job". She must have just coincidentally decided to resign at that time. She won the Powerball, maybe?
It's kind of comical isn't it? First she gets reprimanded for trying to use her position to get out of a 'dogs off the leash' ticket; and now she loses, oops, I mean quits her job when confronted about getting her boyfriend's speeding ticket fixed. This woman can hardly get away with jaywalking, and 90% of the comments are about how corrupt the system is, and oh by the way WAAH WAAH WAAH!
May 13, 2008
3:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
AVSWALLOW writes:
What is the difference between God and an attorney???
God dosent think hes any attorney...
May 13, 2008
3:45 p.m.
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RickyLee writes:
The fact remains that she did not "lose her job".
I get the feeling, davies, that you don't feel this scumbag did anything wrong. Is that true?
May 13, 2008
4 p.m.
Suggest removal
Maxman writes:
I heard the CU Buffs football team is looking for legal representation. I bet Eliscu could even pick up some extra money during recruiting.
May 13, 2008
4:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
davies writes:
RickyLee: I don't mean to give that impression. Yes, she did something wrong by asking to have her boyfriend's speeding ticket fixed. It was unethical of her to ask, and unethical of the cop to grant her wish. But it was only a speeding ticket, and she resigned when confronted about it. Case closed!
And I will say that 'scumbag' seems like a harsh term for someone who has tried to get special treatment, but hasn't actually harmed anyone as far as the story tells. And I DO mean to give the impression that I am skeptical of a lot of the self-righteousness I see in these comments.
Oh and one more thing: Heidi, your 11:38 comment was hilarious! Now THAT'S A COMMENT PEOPLE!!!
May 13, 2008
4:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
Devil_Dog writes:
She resigned because she is corrupt. I do not feel sorry for corrupt officials. She and her husband will make great politicians.
May 13, 2008
4:17 p.m.
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PlainTruth writes:
Here is the truth fellow denverites - in two ride alongs with the Denver Police Department I was told that if I flashed by badge I would never get a ticket
May 13, 2008
4:18 p.m.
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goodheart writes:
Having read all of the comments and concluding 99% agree that the police, DA's and judges are corrupt, what can be done to stop it?
All the email/blogging in the world isn't going to change it. What can we actually do? I would really like to do something rather than just live in fear and I don't even have any interaction with them.
I almost went out with a cop many years ago and he summed it up for me while conversing before we dated. He said "When I'm right I'm right and when I'm wrong I'm right." I ran as fast as I could. He was a local cop who eventually was shot in the head and as I read it in the papers I thought what had he done that he actually got what he deserved?
What can we do to stop them?????
May 13, 2008
4:27 p.m.
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peteSmith writes:
See News & Comment on this story at: http://www.knowyourcourts.com/News/ne...
May 13, 2008
4:48 p.m.
davies writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 13, 2008
5:20 p.m.
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01kayak10 writes:
dare I say that any of you in your chosen professions would ever step outside of your scope of authority? Want to know the truth, I would have done the same thing for her if I was the officer. Friends help friends even in the workplace. Is it really an issue of ethics? Harm was not inflicted upon anyone. She was in a position where she could pull some strings and she did it for her boyfriend. I'm willing to bet all you who pretend you live within a morality sphere would do the exact same thing if you were in this position. She called the officer and had him remove the citation. Is that really what makes a department or a system corrupt? I don't think she should have resigned. Sounds to me like they are making an example out of her because the media caught wind of it. Ok, everyone, be careful of who you help and how you go about it...wink wink.
May 13, 2008
5:54 p.m.
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TheDenverB writes:
helping someone out at work, and doing something illegal are two seperate things.
"Is it really an issue of ethics?"
yes. it is. clearly you need to learn some ethics.
"She was in a position where she could pull some strings and she did it for her boyfriend."
and that makes it right? people who work for the Denver mint are in a position to pull stings and walk out with cash. does that make it right?
". I'm willing to bet all you who pretend you live within a morality sphere would do the exact same thing if you were in this position."
no. i wouldn't. what you are saying here, though, is that YOU have no morals and wouldn't see a problem with this. the majority of us, however, see that for what it is: wrong.
"She called the officer and had him remove the citation. Is that really what makes a department or a system corrupt?"
actually, yes. that would be the definition.
"Sounds to me like they are making an example out of her because the media caught wind of it."
no, she made an example of herself. with or without the media, she would have been reprimanded. and if she didn't think she had done anything wrong, then why resign?
justify it all you want, bud, but her actions were both illegal and unethical for someone we trust to DEFEND THE LAW.
maybe it's time you look at your own morals and ethics, as it's clear you need a basic lesson in them.
May 13, 2008
6:12 p.m.
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Hola writes:
DenverB. Well said. Furthermore, Dani Eliscu had done something like this before and been reprimanded for it. So she's not only corrupt but stupid.
Plus, her partner in crime, Jeremy Rosenthal, sent an intimidating letter that was obviously false to cover the issue up. He's an idiot too if he thinks anyone's buying that.
So lets see, that makes them ignorant, corrupt, and hypocritical. Hey, that's a hat trick! Nicely Done guys.
May 13, 2008
6:14 p.m.
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KaySieverding writes:
Well it is pretty serious when crimes including felonies are ignored for political reasons. In Green Bay Wisconsin, the d.a. was found to be selling pardons also. So we aren't safe from crooks who can pay.
What I think would help is to find out what is going on with Lloyds of London and its insuring these various d.a.s I can prove they insured at least one d.a.
Lloyds apparently hires Hall & Evans. Hall & Evans advertised on its web site that it represents the State of Co and I have one of their contracts. I put an open records request into the State of Col personnel department open records act officer Julie Postlethwait at Julie.Postlethwait@state.co.us but haven't heard back from her since 4/28 even though they are supposed to answer within 72 hours so that seems like a coverup. You know, it was Lloyds that made slavery possible by insuring slave ships.
It sounds like the governor of Ill was taking bribes recently.
May 13, 2008
7:10 p.m.
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MrPeabody writes:
So 01kayak10, you see nothing wrong with having two separate systems, one for "them" and one for us peons? Are you serious? You say, " Is it really an issue of ethics? Harm was not inflicted upon anyone."
If all of us could call the officer and request that our ticket be torn up and it happened as a matter of course, this wouldn't be an issue. But we all know that doesn't happen. I believe that all of us citizens are HARMED when a system purported to be fair and the same for all is really not that, but two different systems. One for those "insiders" and one for the rest of us.
Hola wrote "that makes them ignorant, corrupt, and hypocritical." You forgot one - ARROGANT. Fixed it for you, no charge.
As for the DA claiming that this is not typical, what he really meant is that these things typically don't get made public. They're embarrassed (about being caught).
May 13, 2008
7:40 p.m.
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happymike44 writes:
Well it looks like she won't be nailing someone to the barn door today.It really is a shame when someone with a good legal mind gets caught in the middle of a scandal.Now she will live with the shame and embarassment for years to come.
so with a little bit of luck she will repent and get on with her life.
May 13, 2008
9:14 p.m.
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Heidi writes:
davies, thanks for recognizing my dry sense of humor/sarcasm at 11:38.
At least someone has suffered some consequences in this case!
May 13, 2008
9:16 p.m.
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Heidi writes:
happymike, she didn't just get caught in the middle of a scandal, she put herself there. Hopefully, she will learn from this.
May 14, 2008
7:37 a.m.
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peteSmith writes:
Anyone here remember who Lauri Hurst (f/k/a Steinman)?
Well, maybe as a twist of irony, Eliscu and Hurst can start up an employment law firm together, assuming that Hurst's six-month suspension is up and assuming that Eliscu isn't herself discplined by the Attorney Deregulation Council ( pun intended; see http://www.knowyourcourts.com/CARC/CA... ).
Also, in response to 01kayak10's comment that we all engage in some type of corruption: speak for yourself. Some people --even lawyers and judges-- have a conscience and take the oath of office seriously and do the right thing (often at the expense of their career).
In former Denver District Judge Ed Simons's book, "The Luckiest Judge," he wrote:
"It wasn't surprising to hear rumors about traffic tickets getting 'fixed.' Committing hanky-panky seems to be part of who we are and is made easier when several hundred thousand such tickets are issued each year. I was surprised when it was visited on me by two visitors to my chambers within two weeks of assuming the bench.
"The first visitor was a district captain of the Denver Democratic Party. Smiling at all times, she essentially told me that since I owed my good fortune to Mayor McNichols, I shouldn't have a problem taking care of the traffic ticket in her hand. Then I received a similar visit by a future state and federal judge, except that he stressed his own self-importance rather than mentioning the mayor.
"Each of them walked out in a huff after I told them that I wouldn't 'take care' of even a parking ticket for my mother."
[Ed Simons, The Luckiest Judge (Denver: BenchMarkePress, 2005) at 106-07 ( excerpt at: http://www.knowyourcourts.com/News/20...)]
May 14, 2008
8:20 a.m.
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PlainTruth writes:
We Love You Dani - Yes, You made a mistake - But We Love You All The Same!
May 14, 2008
9:34 a.m.
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peteSmith writes:
For those here, who are still befuddled by the ticket fixing scheme (which is probably only the tip of an iceberg that we'll never learn abuot), let me illustrate the mentality of the bench & bar with another example: In New Mexico, a county court judge, who fixed two dozen traffic tickets for family members, friends and co-workers, was recently removed from the bench by that state's Supreme Court (be still my beating heart). However, the the Judicial Standards Commission had recommended a lesser punishment: that J. Wayne Griego be suspended without pay for 90 days and reprimanded.
To my continuing amazement, one attorney, writing for AboveTheLaw.com blog, opined, "It does seem a trifle harsh. Apparently the justices were troubled by the commission's finding that Griego was 'not completely forthcoming in his testimony.' But removal is not a punishment meted out frequently." (http://www.abovethelaw.com/2008/03/ju...)
Would you want this judge deciding the merits of your case? But, see, that's now lawyers look at this.
Lawyers in this town understand "It isn't what you know, it's who you know." They win cases based NOT on the Rule of Law (viz. principles of stare decisis (previously decided cases based on similar set of facts)), but rather on fraternities with or judicial leanings of individual judges. This intimacy --and the measure of certainty that it imparts into case dispositions-- is how a lawyer's clientele and reputation is established. When judges are removed, the apple cart is upset and the outcomes of lawyer's cases are less predictable for a while. This introduces uncertainty into the lawyer's portfolio, which has the remote possibility of affecting whether he can make the payment on that house he probably shouldn't have bought or the lease payment on the BMW 7-series.
Everything --and I mean everything, even slavery in America-- comes down to and can be explained by economics.
May 14, 2008
10:23 a.m.
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PlainTruth writes:
Reply to bropous, at 8:31am
You don't know me or anything about me, yet you will call me "plain lies" - so quick to judge, are you not - good thing you are not on th bench.
I'm not sure what you do for a living, but there are probably a few people who do whatever it is your that do and make ethical mistakes, it does not mean your entire profession is full of unethical people.
And I reminded Dani that we love her because in my experience purely punishing someone for a bad deed does not go very far to changing their behavior in the future. What does work is love and support coupled with a cold acknowledgement that the act was wrong.
May 14, 2008
10:49 a.m.
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Heidi writes:
PlainTruth,
"And I reminded Dani that we love her because in my experience purely punishing someone for a bad deed does not go very far to changing their behavior in the future. What does work is love and support coupled with a cold acknowledgement that the act was wrong."
I hope you send her a bill for your quick and efficient therapy!
She is not your child to coddle....or is she?
May 14, 2008
11 a.m.
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PlainTruth writes:
Heidi,
I am a forgiving person - The USA has over two million people in jail, more than most of the rest of the world combined, and we always will as long as we do nothing to help and change people who break the rules. Old fashioned hate and harsh punishment has never worked to reduce or eliminate crime; ever.
I am proud to speak out for a new way of doing things, for a new approach. If I had my way, every prison would be half university, reaching into the minds of people who need to change and changing them in a way that benefits society as a whole.
May 14, 2008
1:19 p.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
Plaintruth or plain nuts?
"The USA has over two million people in jail, more than most of the rest of the world combined"
Wow. The rest of the world consists of approximately 5.7 billion people. If the USA has "more than most of the rest of the world combined", then that means the 5.7 billion of other people have less than 2 million in jail.
That would be less than 3/100ths of 1% of the rest of the world.
Any rational person would know that is illogical without even needing to check the actual facts.
Of course, a simple 1 minute check of the facts shows the US has approximately 2 million in prison, while the rest of the world has 7 million in prison.
If a person isn't even able to accurately state the scope of the issue, their solution for the issue is dead wrong too.
May 14, 2008
1:33 p.m.
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holekeeper writes:
PlainTruth,
So what would making the prisons half university do. Make more people want to go to prison so they can get a free education while all of us good people have to pay back student loans well into our 30's. Yea let give the felons more than we give our childern. Stupid!
May 14, 2008
1:34 p.m.
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PlainTruth writes:
rickg19611,
I said, most of the rest of the world, not all of the world. But your stats do show that of all of the people imprisoned in the world, more thean 1/4 are in the USA. That does not bother you?
I think my solution is great, what is yours? (and has your solution ever worked?)
May 14, 2008
1:39 p.m.
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PlainTruth writes:
holekeeper,
why be so selfish? giving an education to those in prison would make our country stronger. Besides, we already spend more per year just to incarcerate people than most universites cost, and plain old incercareration just does not work. I am for a strong, productive USA, and conventional prison punishment does not more than leach our country without preventing future leaching. Why not plug the hole, stop the leak, end the underlying basis for this nation of criminals?
That solution to crime does not mean that there can't aslo be a solution to the USA's un affordable education system. I'm right there with you on student loans, I affectionately refer to them as my other mortgage.
May 14, 2008
1:39 p.m.
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holekeeper writes:
here is a great solution. Strike three your out (death penility) cause they are never going to change! that will take the numbers way down!
May 14, 2008
1:47 p.m.
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PlainTruth writes:
holekeeper,
How about a less ignorant solution? You are starting to sound like Hitler.
Are you really ready to just give up on your fellow Americans, and become the executioner? And besides, there is not a single report anywhere that can establish that the death penalty has ever resulted in a reduction in crime.
May 14, 2008
1:49 p.m.
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Heidi writes:
PlainTruth,
Did you ever stop to think that maybe part of the reason that there are so many people in prison in the US is because we are too forgiving? Because there are free handouts left and right? So many people have the attitude that everyone owes them and they take no personal responsibility. How is giving them a free education in prison going to keep them out of prison? I think that prison life here in the US may be more desirable than "freedom" in certain other countries. So imagine the larger influx of illegals here to the US!
May 14, 2008
1:52 p.m.
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PlainTruth writes:
Holekeeper,
or is it that since you will never change that you do not believe anyone else can change.
I have seen people change in my life, it is a wonderful thing, and most importanly, it is a possible thing.
May 14, 2008
1:55 p.m.
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PlainTruth writes:
Heidi,
But for the native americans and the ancestors of slaves, we are all immigrants in this land of the USA, if you have forgotten that, go home and take a hard look at your family tree.
What handouts do the American People get? I see alot of handouts to corporations and the wealthy. I don't see alot of handouts to the average person.
Getting a solid education in prison, and throw in some counseling, demands that a person use their brain to think of things outside of themselves, outside of their norm, and allows them to broadent heir horizen, and gain a marketable skill along the way. The only way to get people to change the way they think is to offer them something else to think about.
May 14, 2008
2:10 p.m.
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PlainTruth writes:
Heidi,
And if you think there is any pleasantness to being incarcerated in the USA, take a tour of five or six facilities. Prisons are designed to break the spirit and wuite often result in damaging metal illness.
I am all for holding people accountable for their misdeeds, absolutely, and I have personally contributed to the incarceration of hundreds of people as a prosecutor. But I firmly believe we need to take a fresh look at the system, because it does not work.
May 14, 2008
2:15 p.m.
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Heidi writes:
Ok, PlainTruth, I was a little "out there" with my comment about illegals possibly wanting to come here to go to prison. I never once thought that it would be pleasant in prison. Just that I hear it is very unpleasant in several countries!
I just can't see offering prisoners free education until we can offer that to our average citizen first.
May 14, 2008
2:17 p.m.
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holekeeper writes:
Plaintruth,
First I worked in a max security prison for 2 years, They already get a free education if they try. GED ,AA and the such. No change. They are given counseling and rehab if they want it. A vast number of them love being there because its the only place they can function.
I also saw them get TV, Playstation, and computer access. dont stand there and preach to me when you have no idea about how these people act or think. You have the general thought that the more you give the more they will want to change, but if you look at the welfare system the more you give the more they expect and demand!
May 14, 2008
2:21 p.m.
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PlainTruth writes:
Heidi,
I agree - we should offer it to both at the same time. Unfortunately, we are in the process of dumbing down our society and becoming service providers rather than product and innovation suppliers.
People seem to think that is just plain impossible to fund education and other programs, and yet at the drop of a hat we can spend hundreds of billions of dollars to go to war. Imagine if Congress just decided to invest in our infrastructure with the same zest it invests in war/oil. We are in great danger of the the rest of the world not really needing or wanting the USA anymore.
Of all USA high school students, only about 70% finish high school. Of those that finish high school, only about 30% get any higher education. That is a dangerous situation.
May 14, 2008
2:25 p.m.
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PlainTruth writes:
Holekeeper,
No one can get welfare for more than five years anymore, so no one milking the system anymore. Those that have been forced off the welfare roles, however, live in a precarious space of payday loans and homelessness. That may work for you, it does not work for me.
You think of education as a gift, I think of it as a challange, as an opportunity, and as something that will do alot more than benefit the individual who gets the education, because it is my country as a hole, the USA, that benefits when we have more people working, more productivity, less money wasted on courts, police, incarceration, and the lot of it.
May 14, 2008
2:51 p.m.
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holekeeper writes:
PlainTruth,
I dont think of education as a gift, I get given gifts I am still paying for my education. I will not give more to the poop heels that want to commit crimes.
Second not all walfare people have the 5 year time limit
Federal reforms in 1996 eliminated the entitlement to welfare and limited benefits to a maximum of five years in a lifetime. States can exempt up to 20 percent of their caseload from the federal time limit. Moreover, they can extend the time limit beyond five years, as long as benefits are paid with state dollars. In 2002 only two states—Michigan and Vermont—did not have any type of time limit on benefits (Bloom, Farrell, and Fink 2002).
I also knew of doctors, lawyers, and PHD's that were in the prison I worked at. The uni-bomber was a PHD in math. so education is not the anwser.
check out your time limits. There are also other social services that dont have time limits, food stamps, section 8 housing and medicade are a few
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http://www.povertyinstitute.org/matri...