MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — For the second time this month, a Mesa County judge has signed off on a warrant for the arrest of embattled Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters.
Peters is accused of violating the conditions of her bond again, this time because she violated the conditions of a protection order.
According to an affidavit in support of an arrest warrant, Brandi Bantz, who is now the Director of Elections for the Mesa County Clerk’s Office as Peters faces election interference allegations, told law enforcement she received an email from Peters around 2:44 a.m. on Wednesday.
Peters has an active restraining order that bars her from contacting anyone in the Clerk and Recorder Office.
According to the affidavit, the email from Peters to Bantz and several other people said, “I know you have already by now been advised by the Secretary of State regarding a recount. I am, as a candidate with standing, going forward with that request in select counties. If you have not already been notified, and if you are on the list of those counties for a hand recount, you will be notified to coordinate the day/time that is mutually agreed upon.”
The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office said neither Peters nor Ron Hanks had submitted the funds required, totaling $236,279, for a recount by the July 15 deadline, as required by state law. However, the state gave them another window to pay by July 26.
According to the Secretary of State’s Office, a recount can’t be done by hand for this primary election. Election Rule 10.13.1 states a recount must be conducted in the same manner as the original election, meaning tabulation equipment must be used.
A judge signed off on the arrest warrant, finding Peters violated her protection order and bond conditions on Thursday at 12:41 p.m.
This is a developing news story. FOX31 is reaching out to Peters’ attorney for comment and will update this story with more details.