Federal Heights Mayor Dale Sparks defended himself Sunday against allegations that he interfered with an undercover police investigation into a strip club where he worked as a doorman.
But his critics are talking about trying again to recall Sparks.
Sparks said he had no knowledge of the alleged acts of prostitution and violations of Federal Heights municipal code that took place at the Bare Essence Gentleman’s Club, where he was working about three nights a week when it was raided this spring.
“I have contended the whole time that I didn’t knowingly do anything illegal there,” he said. “And I can look anybody in the eye and tell them the same thing now.”
But Sharon Richardson, who ran unsuccessfully for Sparks’ mayoral seat two years ago and came up just short of forcing a recall election this month, said she might try to recall Sparks again.
“He should resign and save the city any more embarrassment,” Richardson said Sunday.
In police investigative documents obtained by The Denver Post, detectives accuse Sparks of turning a “blind eye” to the activities and of once tipping a club manager to an undercover police officer’s presence in the club.
The documents also allege that Sparks asked the city manager and another police officer why the undercover officer was in the club.
Sparks said Sunday that he had not seen the investigative documents and would not comment on the allegations until he had read the reports. He said he has not been charged with any crime.
Sparks said he has no plans to resign as mayor but admitted that he has thought about it.
“When it comes down to it, you have to question yourself and your effectiveness in your position,” he said. “Of course that’s entered my mind. At this point, I have chosen not to resign.”
Richardson, a former City Council member, and others launched a recall campaign after the Bare Essence raid. She said she came up nine signatures short of forcing a recall election.
City Council members reached Sunday declined to comment. The council met in an executive session Tuesday to discuss the matter and has another executive session scheduled for this Tuesday.
Sparks has been mayor of Federal Heights – a city of about 12,000 people and less than 2 square miles – for six years. He told investigators he began working at Bare Essence in April 2005 and earned about $100 a night working the door. Sparks said Sunday that he has quit working at the club and now works at a car-rental company at Denver International Airport.
There is no consensus among those interviewed by police about whether Sparks knew about the alleged illegal activities inside the club.
One dancer said the mayor knew everything going on in the club and was hired as protection for the club owner, according to the investigative documents. Another, however, said Sparks was in the dark about activities inside the club.
The club’s disc jockey, Donald MacLeod, told police that Sparks “knows less than I know” and that the club owner didn’t want Sparks walking back to the private dance area, where many of the illegal acts are alleged to have taken place.
However, MacLeod agreed with the detective that it is doubtful Sparks could have worked at the club for a year and not been suspicious, according to the documents.
Sparks said Sunday that he regrets the toll the investigation has taken on the city.
“I’m sorry things have turned out the way they have as far as the credibility issue,” he said. “I’ve done a good job being mayor. … The city has accomplished a lot in the six years.”
Staff writer John Ingold can be reached at 720-929-0898 or jingold@denverpost.com.
