Clerk To Defend Himself Against Republicans
Party Wants Tracy Baker To Resign
POSTED: 11:02 a.m. MST December 23, 2002
UPDATED: 11:21 a.m. MST December 23, 2002
The embattled Arapahoe County clerk is expected to defend himself before a group of county Republican leaders Monday.
Tracy Baker hasn't commented on some of his fellow Republicans' beliefs that he should resign. County GOP Chairman Bruce Peterson has said that he will ask the party's executive committee to seek Baker's resignation.
If he doesn't resign, Peterson said a recall effort might be launched.
Baker is under fire for having an affair with his deputy Leesa Sale. The
county commissioners have accused him of sexual misconduct and mismanagement, and are adamant that he should quit.
They say he has paid his deputy $18,000 in overtime on top of
her $63,300 annual salary and exchanged sexually explicit e-mails with her on county computers.
A private investigation launched by the county also detailed thousands of dollars in expenses reported by Baker during retreats in Breckenridge and Steamboat Springs.
The commissioners can't remove Baker because he is an elected official.
The married clerk has admitted to the relationship with his deputy but denies
he's guilty of any wrongdoing. He has said he will sue the county for libel and slander.
Tracy Baker hasn't commented on some of his fellow Republicans' beliefs that he should resign. County GOP Chairman Bruce Peterson has said that he will ask the party's executive committee to seek Baker's resignation.
If he doesn't resign, Peterson said a recall effort might be launched.
Baker is under fire for having an affair with his deputy Leesa Sale. The
county commissioners have accused him of sexual misconduct and mismanagement, and are adamant that he should quit.
They say he has paid his deputy $18,000 in overtime on top of
her $63,300 annual salary and exchanged sexually explicit e-mails with her on county computers.
A private investigation launched by the county also detailed thousands of dollars in expenses reported by Baker during retreats in Breckenridge and Steamboat Springs.
The commissioners can't remove Baker because he is an elected official.
The married clerk has admitted to the relationship with his deputy but denies
he's guilty of any wrongdoing. He has said he will sue the county for libel and slander.
Previous Stories:
- December 3, 2002: Commissioners Demand Married Clerk Fire Girlfriend
- October 22, 2002: Clerk's Case Proves Work E-Mail Isn't Private
- October 22, 2002: Arapahoe County Clerk Investigated
Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
