Commerce City – The Adams County district attorney is reviewing allegations that Commerce City police mishandled the investigation of driving incidents involving the former city manager.
There is no indication that any charges will be filed, but City Councilman Orval Lewis said a criminal probe is welcome.
“I want to see an all-out investigation by the DA,” Lewis said. Asking for the DA’s involvement, he said, “will protect me and the council.”
The City Council on Monday night also asked that an outside auditor examine the fiscal management of every city department.
A Denver law firm, meanwhile, has been hired to look into the processes and procedures of the Police Department after City Manager Perry VanDeventer’s resignation and Chief of Police Brian Hebbard’s placement on administrative leave.
“This has caused concern and embarrassment to us, our residents and staff,” said Mayor Sean Ford.
VanDeventer resigned late last month at the request of the City Council.
He had been criticized for his spending. He also was arrested for allegedly driving drunk but was convicted on a lesser offense of improper mountain driving, Colorado Bureau of Investigation records show.
A letter from resident Dustin McIntyre to the City Council accused VanDeventer of turning the wrong way into a housing development, hitting a curb and driving through construction markers in July.
Hebbard said in published reports that mistakes were made regarding the treatment of VanDeventer.
Reports of the incidents were turned over to prosecutors last week by Hebbard, said interim Police Chief Chuck Baker.
There is no indication yet that prosecutors will file charges, officials said.
Interim City Manager Gregg Clements said Monday that insinuations in the media and by city leaders of a possible coverup by Hebbard led him to put the chief on hiatus.
“In fairness to the Police Department and to Brian Hebbard, and in order to preserve the integrity of the ongoing outside investigation, I believed it was necessary to place Chief Hebbard on administrative leave,” Clements said.
Hebbard said Sunday that he believes the review will clear him of any wrongdoing.
A woman who answered the phone at VanDeventer’s house Sunday said he would not comment.
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
