KIOWA — Elbert County commissioners on Wednesday placed Assessor Phyllis Jean “P.J.” Trostel on paid leave of absence until further notice and cut off her access to county financial accounts.
Trostel, 57, was indicted by a grand jury Sept. 10 on 28 counts of embezzlement, forgery, theft and perjury. She is accused of using county accounts for thousands of dollars in personal purchases and stealing prize money intended for fair queens and princesses.
Trostel requested the leave of absence in an e-mail to the commissioners Wednesday morning. The commissioners also canceled her county credit card.
“I realize there are emotions on this matter,” Commissioner Del Schwab said at Wednesday’s county commissioners board meeting.
County office manager Cheri Radeker reviewed Trostel’s attendance and said Trostel has missed a lot of work recently. She also said human services said there was “a severe lack of direction and supervision” in the office.
Rhonda King was named acting supervisor. Citing “safety issues,” the commissioners also hired a private security officer for the assessor’s office. That came at the request of employees who work in the office.
State property-tax administrator JoAnn Groff told the commissioners her office is taking a “forensic” look at the assessor’s office.
At their Aug. 25 meeting, county commissioners sent a written complaint to Groff, asking for an investigation of Trostel’s work assessing property values in the county. They cited concerns about the high number of property-tax abatements and the appeals to the state Board of Equalization that were lost.
Groff said she has sent employees from her office to assist in the Elbert County assessor’s office through the November election.
In August, Trostel lost a GOP primary election to Elbert County Treasurer Billie Mills, who testified before the grand jury.
Trostel appeared in court Monday for the first time since her indictment. She was issued a mandatory protection order, which is standard in most cases. Under the order, she cannot harass potential witnesses or victims.
Her next court appearance is Nov. 8, when she is expected to enter pleas to the charges.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
