Shortly after Gov. Bill Ritter’s denouncement of his campaign manager for allegedly misappropriating funds, the campaign manager’s laptop disappeared from his office, according to police records.
Greg Kolomitz, now a political consultant, reported on April 18 that his office on Colfax Avenue was burglarized. There was no sign of forced entry, and the only thing stolen was his computer.
The theft, which occurred sometime between the afternoon of April 16 and the morning of the 18th, came less than 72 hours after a Ritter news conference where it was disclosed that Kolomitz used inaugural funds to pay off more than $200,000 in campaign debt and wrote himself checks worth $83,000. Ritter asked for an investigation, which is underway.
Denver police said there are currently no leads in the theft of the laptop. There is no readily apparent link between the missing laptop and Ritter’s accusations against Kolomitz.
“We hit a dead end unless someone comes forward with information,” said police spokeswoman Sharon Hahn.
There is no indication in the police report what information may have been stored on the laptop, and Kolomitz declined to comment Wednesday.
The 2 1/2-year relationship between Ritter and Kolomitz came to an end last month when the governor said he was “extremely” disappointed with Kolomitz, who had authority to write checks from both the gubernatorial campaign account and the inauguration fund. Ritter also said he would not use him in future campaigns.
Kolomitz said at the time that he used “poor judgment,” and he immediately returned the $83,000.
Carol Chambers, the district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, is reviewing whether criminal charges should be brought against Kolomitz.
A Republican lawmaker has filed a complaint against Ritter’s inaugural committee for alleged campaign violations.
Karen Crummy: 303-954-1594 or kcrummy@denverpost.com
