AURORA — City Councilwoman Molly Markert accepted a plea deal today after police said she shoved her way into a school meeting last year.
In the deal in Arapahoe County Court, Markert pleaded guilty to one count of interference with school staff. Charges of third-degree assault and harassment were dropped.
If she stays out of trouble for six months and does 24 hours of community service, the interference charge will be dropped from her criminal record. She also must take an anger management class.
Markert was scheduled to go to trial next month.
She was cited last April with the three misdemeanors after she forced her way into a meeting at Smoky Hill High School concerning her daughter’s graduation.
Police said Markert was late for the meeting and when a school representative tried to stop her from entering, Markert said “Do you know who I am?”
She then jammed her forearm into the man’s chest, shoved him against a door, causing him to stumble and jam his left pinkie finger, according to the police report.
Markert’s lawyer, Dennis Champine, disputed the man’s claims the she shoved him but said a plea deal was the best for all parties involved.
“To the best of her knowledge, she didn’t make any contact with him, but she did enter the auditorium against the will of the school representative,” Champine said.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com.
