UPDATE: Linda Stanley was found and served the lawsuit. She threw it in the dirt.
For the counties that funded former District Attorney Linda Stanley for the past four years, they want their money back. However, as of Monday, December 16, they have not found Stanley to serve her the lawsuit.
On December 5, the County Attornies for Fremont, Chaffee, and Custer County filed a civil lawsuit in the 11th Judicial District Court against Stanley, asking the courts for relief on claims that the now disbarred former attorney engaged in fraud and civil theft from the counties of the 11th.
The gist of the lawsuit hinges on the fact that Linda Stanley used public funds from the DA’s Office to unsuccessfully defend herself from the board under the Colorado Supreme Court that regulates the ethics and conduct of attornies in Colorado.
According to the Office of Attorney Regulation, which held a two-week hearing in June, Stanely had severely breached the ethics that govern attornies when she launched a criminal investigation into former District Judge Ramsey Lama when he made rulings against Stanley that harmed her case. In addition, Stanley made comments to the press that violated the civil rights of suspects. Stanley was disbarred as an attorney for her misconduct and will not be able to practice law again in the State of Colorado. Stanley has appealed the ruling.
During the process of disbarring Stanley, it was discovered that she had been using funds from the DA’s office to pay the attorneys she had hired to defend her license. According to the lawsuit, that was an illegal action on Stanley’s part, and despite several warnings, she failed to stop using public funds.
According to the lawsuit, “Legal fees arising from violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct are not costs necessarily incurred in the discharge of official duties for the benefit of the County… Defendant (Stanley) expended a sum of at least $111,971.35 for the payment of legal fees incurred by Defendant and other members of her staff to defend against allegations of violations of the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct or ethical violations.”
The lawsuit claims that even after she was warned, she continued, “After providing the June 27, 2024, notice to Defendant, she continued to misappropriate public funds in violation of Colorado law. Plaintiff Fremont County reminded Defendant of the consequence of such violations by written communication on September 25.”
The three counties asked the court not only for the $111,971.35 cents back but also for all attorney’s fees and that the court triple the amount for the damages caused to the counties. This would amount to $335,914.05.
Custer County attorney Dan Slater joined the lawsuit after Fremont County Eric Bellas worked out an agreement with Fremont and Chaffee County in November. Park County is also part of the 11th Judicial District but has not yet decided to join the lawsuit.
Despite having no experience as a prosecutor and having already been in trouble with the Colorado Supreme Court in 2019, Linda Stanley ran as the DA and repeatedly told lies about her past as a police officer and attorney. During her election campaign in 2020, three out of the four Republican Sheriffs refused to endorse her and instead endorsed the Democratic DA, Kaitlin Turner. Turner is now a District Judge in the 11th Judicial. Stanley’s term as DA was marked by repeated cases being dismissed for failure to file the proper paperwork and provide evidence to opponents in the courtroom.
The Tribune will continue to follow this case as it progresses.
Jordan Hedberg