KIOWA — Former Elbert County assessor P.J. Trostel today pleaded guilty to embezzling public property and attempting to influencing a public servant.
In exchange, the remaining 26 charges against Trostel, 57, will be dropped.
Judge Jeffrey Holmes accepted the plea agreement. He said the sentencing range on the embezzlement charge is from 6 months to six years, with a typical sentence of one to three years. The charge also carries a fine of up to $100,000.
Holmes said the sentencing range on the influencing charge is from one to 12 years, and is typically two to six years years. The fine associated with that charge is up to $500,000.
Sentencing was set for Sept. 23.
Trostel appeared in court with her lawyer, Marc Colin. She did not comment about the deal.
A grand jury indicted Trostel in September on charges that included embezzlement, forgery, theft and perjury. She is accused of using her county credit card to purchase gift cards and then buy personal items.
She is also accused of purchasing two printers with public funds. And she kept money that was intended for county-fair royalty, according to the indictment.
Trostel, the wife of former Colorado State Patrol Chief Mark Trostel, lost her re-election bid in the Republican primary in August. Elbert County commissioners placed her on paid leave in September and cut off her access to county accounts.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
