A former state driver’s license examiner pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal charge of document fraud for her part in illegally selling commercial driver’s licenses. Virginia Villegas, 49, told U.S. District Judge Edward Nottingham she altered test scores for money so that unqualified applicants could get learner’s permits and eventually Colorado commercial driver’s licenses.
A federal investigation has resulted in the arrests of two driver’s license clerks accused of selling the coveted state documents to people otherwise ineligible to get them, the suspension of dozens of suspect driver’s licenses, and reforms within the state Division of Motor Vehicles.
Preliminary calculations show that Villegas could get 18 to 24 months in prison. She has agreed to help prosecutors – who agreed not to bring further charges against her – in their continuing investigation of the scandal.
DENVER
Few attend hearing on election-panel plan
The City Council held a public hearing Wednesday on a proposed charter amendment to eliminate the three-member Election Commission and replace it with an elected clerk and recorder.
Only a handful of people turned out, some of whom opposed the proposal on the grounds that there was no oversight board to watch over an elected clerk. Those same people said they feared that having one person rather than three in charge might make the position ripe for political influence.
The council is continuing to make changes to the charter amendment and is expected to initially vote on it in two weeks. If approved, the issue will go to voters in November.
VAIL
Man accused of plot to kill his ex-wife
A man accused of trying to get his girlfriend to kill his ex-wife with the poisonous belladonna plant faces an attempted-murder charge.
Stuart Shader, 34, was arrested Saturday on charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated extortion and complicity to commit first-degree murder. He was being held on bail totaling $268,000.
According to an affidavit, Shader believed his ex-wife “was trying to ruin him” by taking him to court. In April, he allegedly asked his girlfriend if she could kill his former wife, the girlfriend told an investigator.
The affidavit said Shader wanted his girlfriend, who practices witchcraft, to sneak into his ex-wife’s house and put the poison in a can of coffee.
LONE TREE
News van rolls on I-25; 3 go to hospital
A WB2 News van made news Wednesday afternoon when it rolled over on Interstate 25 and collided with a truck.
The two people in the van and the driver of the truck were taken to a hospital, said Carl Bilek, WB2 assistant news director.
There were no life-threatening injuries, Bilek said.
The two people in the van were a reporter and an intern, 9News reported. They were not identified.
DENVER
Body found after neighbors hear shots
After neighbors reported hearing a gunshot, police discovered the body of a male who had been shot to death in an alley on the 3000 block of Lafayette Street, officials say.
Neither the victim or any suspects have been identified.
Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said a neighbor called about 2 a.m. Wednesday and reported possible shots had been fired.
HAMPTON, N.H.
Coloradan guilty of under-skirt photos
A Colorado man accused of taking pictures under a woman’s skirt in North Hampton pleaded guilty Wednesday and will spend 20 days in jail.
Florentino Avila, 47, of Northglenn was arraigned in Hampton District Court on charges of simple assault and violation of privacy.
Prosecutors said he was due in court in Colorado on similar charges.
Avila was sentenced to one year in jail with all but 20 days suspended.
COLORADO
Anti-referendum group raises $20,000
The Colorado Club for Growth-Issue Committee raised almost $4,000 in the filing period ended July 26, according to campaign disclosures filed with the secretary of state’s office.
The group opposes budget-reform measures on the November ballot.
Earlier this week, the organization’s treasurer, Greg Gandy, said the organization’s filing would show about $20,000 in contributions.
Gandy said Wednesday that he had mistakenly included totals raised through July 31.
