A former state senator in Colorado, Sonya Jaquez Lewis, faced sentencing last week after being convicted of influencing a public servant and three counts of forgery. This case echoes an earlier controversy involving Tina Peters, the former Mesa County Clerk, who was similarly charged in 2024 under the same statute. The outcomes for both women reveal troubling discrepancies in how justice was applied.
Lewis was convicted in a Denver District Court and sentenced to two years of probation, 150 hours of community service, and a $3,000 fine, which may be waived if she completes an additional 100 hours of community service. This lenient sentence starkly contrasts with Peters, who received a prison term of over eight years after being convicted on multiple counts related to a single misrepresentation.
The differences become more apparent when examining the charges. Lewis submitted three forged letters to the Colorado Senate Ethics Committee. Even though she attempted to influence five public servants, prosecutors only charged her with one count of attempting to influence a public servant and three counts of forgery. In contrast, Peters faced separate felony counts for each public servant she influenced, despite making a single misrepresentation.
As journalist Ashe Epp points out, the differences in charging decisions were significant. Epp notes that “Colorado appellate precedent permits multiple convictions under C.R.S. 18-8-306 when the conduct reflects separate ‘volitional departures.'” Thus, it appears that prosecutorial discretion played a crucial role in the disparities between the two cases. In Lewis’s situation, prosecutors treated the committee as a single entity. For Peters, every communication was counted as a separate violation.
This inconsistency raises questions about the intent behind these prosecutorial choices. While both approaches are legally permissible, the resulting sentences seem to indicate a politicization of the judicial process. Notably, both cases were overseen by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who is presently running for governor.
Additionally, Colorado Governor Jared Polis weighed in on the matter, stating, “She made a horrible mistake, and she was wrong. I hope she learns from this and can rebuild.” His comments about Lewis’s case seemed to underline the disparity when compared to Peters’ severe sentencing.
The judicial landscape in Colorado is complex, and how justice is administered can take on a significant political dimension. The contrasting sentences of Lewis and Peters underscore potential biases in the system, prompting important discussions about fairness and equal treatment under the law.
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