Tracy Baker Gets Bond
Bond Required To Keep Post As Clerk And Recorder
POSTED: 2:30 p.m. MST January 27, 2003
UPDATED: 3:22 p.m. MST January 27, 2003
AURORA, Colo. -- Tracy Baker, the embattled Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder who was being squeezed out of office, can now keep his seat.
Baker told 7NEWS Monday afternoon that he was granted a $250,000 public official bond by State Farm -- a bond he was required to have to be sworn in for his second term as the county's clerk and recorder.
He told 7NEWS that State Farm actually contacted him to insure the double-A rated bond.
Baker's bond for his last term was $10,000 but it was increased to $250,000 by county commissioners who said he is a legal risk to the county because of recent allegations of misconduct and misuse of taxpayer money and property.
They believe Baker's employees could sue the county over allegations that he created a hostile work environment by engaging in a sexual relationship with a co-worker.
The bond protects the county's monetary interest against potential misdeeds, such as theft, by elected officials.
Arapahoe County Commissioners have asked for Baker's resignation since October, when a county-funded investigation alleged that he mismanaged his office and misused taxpayer dollars and property to benefit a romantic relationship with Lisa Sale, his assistant chief deputy.
Investigator Rick Johnson found that Baker promoted Sale twice, resulting in raises of more than $40,000 over three years, and that the two used county equipment to exchange hundreds of explicit e-mails on county time.
Five of the insurance companies approached by the county -- CNA Insurance, RLI Insurance, Hartford, Old Republic and Traveler's Insurance -- refused to bond Baker at $250,000 because of the current allegations of wrongdoing.
The attorney hired by the county to represent Baker also said she learned that he has been "red-flagged" by the insurance network.
County Risk Manager Pat Skahill said the county was obligated to let insurance companies know about potential lawsuits involving Baker. She said the county sent several press releases to the firms that contained information about the allegations against Baker.
If Baker did not obtain the bond by mid-February, the office would have become vacant.
Baker said he's being targeted because he questioned some of the commissioners.
Baker told 7NEWS Monday afternoon that he was granted a $250,000 public official bond by State Farm -- a bond he was required to have to be sworn in for his second term as the county's clerk and recorder.
He told 7NEWS that State Farm actually contacted him to insure the double-A rated bond.
Baker's bond for his last term was $10,000 but it was increased to $250,000 by county commissioners who said he is a legal risk to the county because of recent allegations of misconduct and misuse of taxpayer money and property.
They believe Baker's employees could sue the county over allegations that he created a hostile work environment by engaging in a sexual relationship with a co-worker.
The bond protects the county's monetary interest against potential misdeeds, such as theft, by elected officials.
Arapahoe County Commissioners have asked for Baker's resignation since October, when a county-funded investigation alleged that he mismanaged his office and misused taxpayer dollars and property to benefit a romantic relationship with Lisa Sale, his assistant chief deputy.
Investigator Rick Johnson found that Baker promoted Sale twice, resulting in raises of more than $40,000 over three years, and that the two used county equipment to exchange hundreds of explicit e-mails on county time.
Five of the insurance companies approached by the county -- CNA Insurance, RLI Insurance, Hartford, Old Republic and Traveler's Insurance -- refused to bond Baker at $250,000 because of the current allegations of wrongdoing.
The attorney hired by the county to represent Baker also said she learned that he has been "red-flagged" by the insurance network.
County Risk Manager Pat Skahill said the county was obligated to let insurance companies know about potential lawsuits involving Baker. She said the county sent several press releases to the firms that contained information about the allegations against Baker.
If Baker did not obtain the bond by mid-February, the office would have become vacant.
Baker said he's being targeted because he questioned some of the commissioners.
Previous Stories:
- January 23, 2003: Baker Lashes Out, Points Finger At County Commissioners
- January 18, 2003: Tracy Baker Secretly Sworn In As County Clerk
- January 14, 2003: Baker Not Sworn In; May Have To Leave Office
- January 14, 2003: Baker To Have Private Swearing-In Ceremony
- January 9, 2003: Clerk Tries To Block Release Of Lurid E-Mails
- 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
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