Aurora – An assistant city attorney and the former fire chief did not use city funds to buy a BlackBerry, but they did have a “personal relationship,” an outside investigation concluded.
The investigation by Mountain States Employers Council also found that former Aurora Fire Chief Casey Jones and his legal adviser, Assistant City Attorney Julie Werking, played golf during business hours four times in 2006.
But Werking told investigators that she works 40 hours a week regardless of whether she plays golf.
The two came under fire this year on allegations that they were having an affair, which some saw as a breach of ethics. The allegations were brought by Werking’s husband, Rob Werking, who was also an assistant city attorney for Aurora before he was fired in March.
Rob Werking had claimed that Jones purchased a BlackBerry, a wireless e-mail and phone device, for Julie Werking with city money.
But the report found that Julie Werking bought it with her own money.
Jones was initially placed on paid leave before he resigned. Julie Werking has been reassigned and received a letter of reprimand.
Neither Jones nor Julie Werking could be reached for comment.
City Councilman Ryan Frazier, chairman of the city’s public safety committee, said the allegations have taken a toll on the city. “I think everybody here at the city and the community is ready to put it behind us and move forward.”
Staff writer Carlos Illescas can be reached at 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com.
