BRIGHTON, Colo.—The former owner of a paving company that’s accused of billing Adams County for work it didn’t do is asking for a new trial.
Jerry Rhea was convicted this month of 23 felony counts, including theft and attempting to influence a public official. The charges stem from contracts Quality Paving and Quality Resurfacing held with Adams County in 2007.
The Denver Post reports ( ) Rhea’s attorney Anthony Leffert wants a new trial on grounds that prosecutors improperly raised allegations in opening and closing arguments that Adams County officials were enriched by their dealings with Rhea, when no such evidence had been presented to jurors.
Prosecutors contend they were allowed to comment in closing arguments on evidence and “reasonable inferences” drawn from it.
———
Information from: The Denver Post,
