Denver’s new city attorney, Larry Manzanares, did the right thing when he resigned his position Tuesday, sparing the city the embarrassment of having its top legal officer under criminal investigation for his befuddling possession of a stolen laptop computer.
It’s a sad chapter in what had been a stellar career of public service for the Harvard-educated lawyer who had served 15 years as a respected local judge. He had been at city hall for only two months when the scandal broke, and we’re told his performance and demeanor had been exceptional.
Manzanares’ version of events is incomprehensible – and even if it proves true, it bespeaks incredibly poor judgment. He says he bought the computer sometime in January from some guy in a parking lot. Manzanares told The Post he didn’t recall how much he paid. This is a man who had heard all manner of cases as a county and district court judge. Surely, he’d know better than to buy a hot laptop.
Manzanares told Mayor John Hickenlooper last Friday that police were asking him about the $1,500 laptop, and recounted his story. The mayor asked him, “What were you thinking?” and Manzanares responded: “I don’t know what I was thinking. I wasn’t thinking.”
Denver officials were smart to ask Jefferson County officials to take over the investigation of the theft of the laptop. It was taken sometime in January from a locked storage room in the building where Manzanares had worked as a judge. The laptop had embedded in it a tracking device allowing authorities to find that it was hooked up to the Internet in Manzanares’ house.
Hickenlooper put Manzanares on “investigatory leave” upon learning of the situation. He said he was shocked, having known of Manzanares’ fine reputation for years. “He’s lectured on ethics,” Hickenlooper said. ” I think it’s in all dimensions tragic.”
The mayor said at this point he’s not sure what lessons he can take away. The city, Hickenlooper said, had done background checks on Manzanares and turned up nothing.
The search for Manzanares’ successor should begin immediately. The city attorney plays an important role in the Hickenlooper government. The administration, which has taken some public hits over the election commission fiasco and snow removal controversy, must fill the job with a strong professional.
Before long, details of the laptop fiasco will surely emerge. Manzanares’ resignation was essential. His decision allows the city to move forward in the meantime.
