Former Colorado clerk Tina Peters, the first local election official charged with a security breach post-2020 election, was found guilty by a jury on most charges. Peters was accused of using someone else’s security badge to grant access to an expert affiliated with My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell to the Mesa County election system, deceiving officials about the person's identity.
Lindell, known for promoting false claims of election manipulation, had his online platform live-stream Peters' trial and send daily updates. Prosecutors alleged Peters sought fame and became fixated on voting issues after associating with those questioning the 2020 election results.
Peters was convicted on multiple charges, including attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, and official misconduct. She was acquitted of identity theft charges.
Colorado officials expressed satisfaction with the verdict, emphasizing the safety and fairness of elections. The defense argued Peters was preserving records to ensure election integrity, while prosecutors claimed she deceived government employees for personal gain.
The trial revealed Peters allowed an outsider to observe a software update, leading to accusations of identity theft. Testimonies suggested conflicting views on whether Peters committed a crime.
The verdict sends a strong message against illegal tampering with election systems. Peters is set to be sentenced on October 3, facing consequences for compromising election equipment in an attempt to validate claims of election fraud.
