October 20, 2006 06:40 PM UTC

El Paso DA Says Investigation Still Underway into Trailhead

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• by: Colorado Pols

As Colorado Confidential reports:

Criticism over potential criminal charges that could be filed against Trailhead Group director Alan Philp in El Paso County for false ads attacking a Democrat are premature — and has resulted in a sharp rebuke from District Attorney John Newsome, who has entered a potential political minefield.

On Thursday, Colorado GOP attorney Scott Gessler sent a pitch to Republicans seeking donations for legal fees for his “good friend” Philp, who he said was to be “criminally charged for political speech.”

Newsome, a conservative Republican District Attorney representing the 4th Judicial District, was clearly perturbed by Gessler’s claim that charges were to be filed today — and by his assertions that Newsome is giving “special courtesy” to state Senate candidate John Morse.

“It is a pending investigation; we’re not done investigating this and were working very hard to finish it,” Newsome said. “I have not made any final decision; I am trying to do my job and I’m being attacked by all sides — which means I’m doing my job.”