Tina Peters, once a hero to election deniers, convicted in computer breach

DENVER (AP) — Tina Peters, the former clerk of Mesa County, Colorado, has been found guilty on most charges related to a security breach involving the county’s election system following the 2020 election. Peters gained notoriety among election deniers but now faces serious legal consequences for her actions.

Her conviction stems from accusations that she used another individual’s security badge to grant access to the election system to an associate of Mike Lindell, the CEO of My Pillow, a vocal proponent of unfounded claims about election fraud. Prosecutors charged that Peters not only misused the badge but also misled officials regarding the identity of the person she was granting access to.

In the midst of these developments, Lindell’s online platform has streamed Peters’ trial, providing daily updates and soliciting prayers for her as her case has garnered significant public attention.

Prosecutors argued that Peters had become obsessed with claims regarding election integrity after becoming involved with individuals skeptical of the 2020 presidential election results. The actions she took created fears of potential insider threats, highlighting the risks posed by individuals within election offices who could allege fraudulent activity.

Peters was convicted on three counts of attempting to influence a public servant, as well as conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, and failure to comply with state regulations. However, she was acquitted of identity theft, one count of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, and criminal impersonation, with jurors finding no evidence she had maliciously borrowed the security badge from Gerald Wood, its rightful owner.

As the verdict was announced in a subdued courtroom, Peters remained beside her attorney and was warned by Judge Matthew Barrett against any outbursts. She is scheduled for sentencing on October 3.

Following the verdict, Peters took to social media, alleging that Dominion Voting Systems, which provided the election technology for her county, had engaged in vote theft. She expressed a commitment to continuing her fight, lamenting the trial’s outcome and vowing to uncover what she considers the truth about the election.

Jena Griswold, the Secretary of State of Colorado, stated that Peters would now face the ramifications of her actions, emphasizing the importance of election security in the wake of the breach caused by Peters in an effort to validate the unfounded claims promoted by former President Trump.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser highlighted the significance of the verdict, warning that those who attempt to tamper with election systems will face severe repercussions. He reiterated the integrity and safety of the election processes in Colorado.

The jury’s decision came after prosecutors implored them to hold Peters accountable for deceiving government officials in enabling individuals connected to Lindell to access sensitive election data.

Prosecutor Janet Drake urged the jury to consider that Peters allowed a man posing as an employee to capture images of the election system’s hard drive before and after a software update in May 2021. She stressed that Peters’s desire to become a “hero” led her to compromise her role and responsibilities as the clerk in favor of political ambitions.

In her defense, Peters’ attorney argued that she did not commit any crimes and was merely acting to preserve crucial election records after being denied oversight from the county’s technology experts during the update. The defense contended that her actions were motivated by a desire to investigate any potential foreign interference in the voting process.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Peters allowed Conan Hayes, a Lindell associate, to observe the update using Wood’s badge. Peters misrepresented Hayes’s identity to officials. While prosecutors contended this amounted to identity theft, the defense maintained that Wood had endorsed the plan and thus, no crime had been committed.

Wood’s testimony contradicted that notion, asserting that he was not aware of his badge being used without his permission. Political activist Sherronna Bishop corroborated that there had been discussions regarding the use of Wood’s identity, but the details remained unclear. Prosecutors questioned the credibility of Bishop’s testimony as it appeared selective in confirming a narrative favorable to Peters.

As the case concluded, it underscored the ongoing tensions surrounding election integrity and the consequences of actions taken by officials under the weight of partisan claims.

Source: AP News