A former elections manager who prosecutors say assisted in a security breach of voting equipment in a Colorado county pleaded guilty on Wednesday and is required to testify against her former boss.
One of the two employees accused of helping Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters allow a copy of a hard drive to be made during an update of election equipment last year is an employee of the county.
She will not be sentenced until after she testifies at Peters' trial next year so her performance on the witness stand can be considered.
Brown said that there were things that he should have questioned.
Under the deal that required her to testify against Peters, the chief deputy pleaded guilty. She was sentenced to two years of supervision after pleading guilty to a single count.
Peters lost his bid to become the Republican candidate for Colorado's secretary of state because he promoted conspiracy theories about voting machines. She is accused of attempting to influence a public servant, criminal impersonation, two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, one count of identity theft, and violation of duty.
She has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
According to Brown's arrest affidavit, Knisley tried to get a security Badge for a man Peters said she was hiring. The person inside the room was allowed to make a copy of the election equipment hard drive by Peters. It said that Brown was present when the copy was made.
Brown contacted the secretary of state's office asking for permission for an administrative assistant to be allowed to attend the update but knew that person was really a computer expert who wouldn't have been allowed to attend. The expert's credentials were used by someone else to get into the room and make a copy of the hard drive. The person has not been arrested.
The woman knew she was setting up a sham.
A photo and video of confidential voting system passwords were posted on social media.
Brown's deal allows her to serve up to 30 days in jail if she is sentenced. She would be able to have her felony conviction wiped out after two years if she complies with certain conditions. Brown could withdraw her guilty pleas.
That's right.
Cassidy was reporting from Atlanta.