Call For Ethics Investigation of John Kellner’s Conflict of Interest

Apr 7, 2022 | News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 7 2022
CONTACT: Sara Loflin, Executive Director at [email protected]

DENVER: ProgressNow Colorado, the state’s largest multi-issue progressive advocacy organization, has requested an investigation of District Attorney John Kellner by the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission for violating the rules of professional conduct, as well as for prosecutorial misconduct for his failure to disclose his conflicts of interest when he refused to prosecute a high-profile campaign donor for her own official misconduct.

“As a prosecutor, John Kellner has an obligation to adhere to the highest ethical standards even when it concerns major donors to his own political campaigns,” said ProgressNow Colorado executive director Sara Loflin. “By refusing to follow the recommendations of Jefferson County investigators and file misconduct charges against Holly Kluth, Kellner violated the public trust to protect a political ally and donor.”

The request for the Independent Ethics Commission to investigate Kellner focuses on the decision by Kellner to not file official misconduct charges against Holly Kluth, who is now a candidate for Douglas County Sheriff. Kellner falsely claimed that the statute of limitations had expired to prosecute Kluth, and Kellner’s conclusion that the evidence against Kluth was “insufficient” is contrary to the conclusion of Jefferson County investigators. Kluth was a major donor to Kellner’s 2020 campaign for election to serve as the 18th Judicial District Attorney, contributing just short of the limit for donations in that race.

The full complaint to the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission is available here.

“District Attorney Kellner is running for attorney general on a so-called ‘law and order’ platform, asking the voters of Colorado for our trust in his integrity,” said Loflin. “How can Coloradans expect John Kellner to when cannot be trusted to keep his personal and political interests separate from the duties of his office? It is crucial that Colorado not give more power to a corrupt prosecutor who turns a blind eye to crimes committed by his campaign donors.”

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