GOLDEN — Former Jefferson County treasurer Mark Paschall was found not guilty of theft today while jurors deadlocked on a second charge of receiving compensation for past official behavior.
A judge immediately set a hearing for Feb. 28 to give prosecutors a chance to decide whether to try Paschall a second time on the deadlocked charge.
During the three-day trial, prosecutors contended that Paschall, 53, asked Kathy Redmond, who was his political appointee and communications director, to split $18,000 of a $25,000 pre-tax payment he had arranged for her.
Redmond testified that a few days before leaving office, Paschall told her he was going to give her “a ridiculous amount of money” and that he wanted half of it.
Redmond said she told Paschall he would be criticized for the action and that Paschall replied he did not care.
The alleged solicitation and filling out of paperwork for the payment constituted a “substantial step” toward committing theft, prosecutors said.
But after the jury was excused today, Paschall said he was only trying to help Redmond.
“I’m just sorry it took such an evil and terrible twist,” Paschall said.
On the stand, Paschall denied asking for some of the money, saying he may have made some “flippant” remarks but didn’t mean them.
Paschall said he was trying to help Redmond, a single mother with a child who has serious health problems, because she would be losing her job when he left office.
Paschall could be heard in a recording that Redmond made at the Jefferson County district attorney’s office saying: “It actually won’t probably be a third, but I just figured a third, and then a third, and a third. You know?”
Redmond responded on the recording: “OK, I see. So a third going to taxes, then the third to me and the third to you.”
Paschall said, “Right.”
Paschall’s attorney, David Lane, said at issue was “a payback, not a kickback,” contending that Paschall was set up by Commissioner Jim Congrove.
Congrove “hates Mark Paschall with an undying passion,” Lane said, because Paschall would not reveal his testimony before a grand jury investigating Congrove.
Redmond said she was uncomfortable with Paschall’s offer and reported it to Congrove, who then notified the district attorney’s office.
Ann Schrader: 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com
