Golden – An ethics complaint has been filed against Golden Councilwoman Mary Weaver, who is accused of receiving an $8,500 loan from a longtime city critic.
The City Council on Thursday will consider whether to hire a special counsel to investigate the situation.
City officials learned about the loan after a lawyer with the city’s insurance company questioned Weaver about a suit she filed against Golden. Weaver sued the city in May for what she considers improper closing of council sessions.
While taking Weaver’s deposition, the lawyer asked how much Weaver had spent on legal services. She is seeking legal-fee reimbursement.
The deposition states Weaver replied that she paid attorney John Zak hem $8,500 in cash in early September.
When asked where she got the money, the deposition said Weaver replied that she borrowed the money from Marian Olson under an oral agreement and had no receipt.
Olson, publisher of the independent Voice of Golden newsletter, has challenged the city numerous times in court. She also filed 100 ethics complaints last year against city staff and council members, although ensuing investigations found no violations.
Weaver also is quoted in the deposition as saying Olson assisted her in preparing her lawsuit.
The city’s code of ethics prohibits council members and city staff from receiving more than $100 annually in gifts, loans or services.
City officials said by receiving Olson’s help, Weaver also may have violated the ethics code by revealing executive session information to an outside party.
Weaver’s attorney called the ethics complaint an “unfortunate tack” taken by officials.
“It looks to me like it’s retaliatory,” Zakhem said. “She is suing to ensure proper conduct of their meetings and they’re trying to punish her for pursuing her lawsuit.”
“Under our ethics ordinance, when I get a complaint, I have to present it to the council to decide whether to hire a special counsel to investigate,” City Manager Mike Bestor said.
On Monday, Bestor sent council members an amended agenda for Thursday’s meeting after being alerted to the deposition’s contents by the city attorney.
Weaver said Bestor sent council members copies of her deposition, which she says she hasn’t “read or signed.”
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
