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Jeffco claims victory after woman drops lawsuit

By April M. Washington, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 19, 2008 at 8:11 p.m.
Updated November 19, 2008 at 11:55 p.m.

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Jim Congrove, who did not seek re-election this year, claimed a sound victory and criticized the Arvada woman for filing a "frivolous lawsuit" that cost taxpayers $66,000 to defend.

Photo by George Kochaniec Jr. / The Rocky

Jim Congrove, who did not seek re-election this year, claimed a sound victory and criticized the Arvada woman for filing a "frivolous lawsuit" that cost taxpayers $66,000 to defend.

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Jefferson County scored a victory when an Arvada woman admitted that her lawsuit against Commissioner Jim Congrove had no merit, county officials said Wednesday.

Lori Stille, a former loan officer for an Arvada bank, claimed that Congrove and other county commissioners pressured the bank to fire her after a business relationship between her and Congrove soured.

Stille said the job paid $80,000 to $100,000, plus commissions, and that the commissioners' actions damaged her reputation.

But on Monday, Stille discontinued the lawsuit, which she filed in May 2005. She also agreed to pay her attorney fees and costs, said Acting County Attorney Ellen Wakeman.

The suit had been scheduled for a jury trial.

"She entered into a confessed judgment," Wakeman said. "There was no merit to the allegations. We won the case without going to trial, and she admitted we won."

Stille could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

In her suit, Stille also named private investigator Daril Cinquanta, who she alleged was hired by Congrove to conduct surveillance activities at her home.

Stille charged that commissioners and other county officials - acting as "co-conspirators" - conducted an illegal meeting in 2005 to discuss "Congrove's scheme to retaliate against her." She charged that they also talked about contacting her employer at the time, Chase Bank, and threatening to withdraw $200 million in county funds if the bank did not fire her.

Jefferson County officials called the allegations false and said the outcome of the lawsuit speaks for itself.

District Court Judge Christopher Munch ruled in favor of Congrove and the commissioners Monday after Stille reached the deal with the county.

Comments

  • November 20, 2008

    8:51 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    blacksho89 writes:

    And yet, the county has not demanded payment of the $66,000 spent defending the lawsuit. Why?
    I have no knowledge of this case, but I DO have a distrust for Jim Congrove, the Jeffco Commissioners, and about every other Jeffco official back to Sheriff John Stone(wall) and DA Dave Thomas, who blocked any real investigation into the Columbine killers relationships with the justice system.

    There may be more to this story than Jeffco claims.

  • November 20, 2008

    11:41 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MummyDear writes:

    Sounds like an under the table payoff to me so the politicians could save face. No one goes all the way to trial against City Hall then drops it on the eve without getting something in return. Probably a friend of these politicians took care of this lady and made it go away before it got too messy.