Clerk Tries To Block Release Of Lurid E-Mails
Arapahoe County Clerk Tracy Baker Wrote E-Mails On County Computers
POSTED: 6:09 a.m. MST January 9, 2003
UPDATED: 4:22 p.m. MST January 9, 2003
DENVER -- Arapahoe County Clerk Tracy Baker filed an appeal with the Colorado Court of Appeals Thursday afternoon hoping to overturn a ruling that would allow the release of 600 lurid and romantic e-mails exchanged between him and the employee with whom he was having an affair.
Baker's lawyer appealed that releasing the e-mails would severely damage Baker's reputation. He argued that the messages between Baker and his girlfriend, also his assistant, are not of relevance to the public interest and should not be disclosed.
He also said that those e-mails are protected by the right of privacy
A judge in the appeals court has ruled in Bakers favor.
The e-mails are said to be very sexually explicit.
The Rocky Mountain News obtained part of those e-mails and said that the letters contain numerous slang words for male and female genitalia, and talk about having sex in front of another woman.
"So why are you sitting there all professional, imagine this," Tracy Baker wrote to his deputy clerk Leesa Sale. "Me kissing your inner thigh while ..."
In another one he wrote, "Ok wrap it up!! We have an important engagement to keep. Please, now I'm begging, I'm a pitiful soul. NOW (have sex with) ME!!!"
The feelings were definitely mutual, the e-mails show.
"Damn, I want you and love you. Can we please ...?" Sale wrote to Baker.
The e-mails, which were deleted by Baker and Sale, were retrieved from their computers by by a private investigation firm hired by Arapahoe County.
Reporters have asked for copies of the e-mails under the Colorado Open Records Law.
Baker and Sale fought the release of their e-mails, arguing that it was private, but Arapahoe County District Judge Thomas C. Levi ruled that they were public record.
County commissioners wanted the messages released to reinforce its demand for Baker's resignation.
County Attorney Kathryn Schroeder argued that the messages show Baker and Sale have spent time "trysting on county property on county time."
Commissioners launched a three-month investigation after the county was sued by Baker's former chief deputy for creating a hostile work environment.
The investigation also uncovered information that alleges that Baker misused taxpayer money by giving Sale $40,000 in raises in less than three years, paying her $20,000 in overtime pay in 2002 and taking business trips with her.
Baker has refused to resign and because he is an elected official, commissioners cannot fire him. He was re-elected in November.
Arapahoe County Republicans on Wednesday joined the county commissioners in calling for Baker's resignation.
Baker's lawyer appealed that releasing the e-mails would severely damage Baker's reputation. He argued that the messages between Baker and his girlfriend, also his assistant, are not of relevance to the public interest and should not be disclosed.
He also said that those e-mails are protected by the right of privacy
A judge in the appeals court has ruled in Bakers favor.
The e-mails are said to be very sexually explicit.
The Rocky Mountain News obtained part of those e-mails and said that the letters contain numerous slang words for male and female genitalia, and talk about having sex in front of another woman.
"So why are you sitting there all professional, imagine this," Tracy Baker wrote to his deputy clerk Leesa Sale. "Me kissing your inner thigh while ..."
In another one he wrote, "Ok wrap it up!! We have an important engagement to keep. Please, now I'm begging, I'm a pitiful soul. NOW (have sex with) ME!!!"
The feelings were definitely mutual, the e-mails show.
"Damn, I want you and love you. Can we please ...?" Sale wrote to Baker.
The e-mails, which were deleted by Baker and Sale, were retrieved from their computers by by a private investigation firm hired by Arapahoe County.
Reporters have asked for copies of the e-mails under the Colorado Open Records Law.
Baker and Sale fought the release of their e-mails, arguing that it was private, but Arapahoe County District Judge Thomas C. Levi ruled that they were public record.
County commissioners wanted the messages released to reinforce its demand for Baker's resignation.
County Attorney Kathryn Schroeder argued that the messages show Baker and Sale have spent time "trysting on county property on county time."
Commissioners launched a three-month investigation after the county was sued by Baker's former chief deputy for creating a hostile work environment.
The investigation also uncovered information that alleges that Baker misused taxpayer money by giving Sale $40,000 in raises in less than three years, paying her $20,000 in overtime pay in 2002 and taking business trips with her.
Baker has refused to resign and because he is an elected official, commissioners cannot fire him. He was re-elected in November.
Arapahoe County Republicans on Wednesday joined the county commissioners in calling for Baker's resignation.
Previous Stories:
- January 8, 2003: GOP Wants Arapahoe Clerk To Resign
- January 2, 2003: Judge Says Clerk's Sexy E-Mails Can Be Released
- December 23, 2002: Clerk To Defend Himself Against Republicans
- 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 2003 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
