There’s something going on with the Douglas County Coroner’s Office

A few nights ago I attended the Douglas County Young Republicans and got to see Carter Lord and Lora Thomas have a small debate. And this brought to my attention a few questions.

The debate started out with both people on point, the same speech I hear from pretty much every person running for office. Nothing unusual. Mr. Lord spoke first, I do like the fact he’s been in business with a gunsmith company here in Colorado since 1972. Mrs. Thomas spoke next, I was impressed by the facts that she was the first woman captain and then first woman major on the state highway patrol. A very impressive feat.

Both candidates are serving in a coroners office, Lord in Douglas County and Thomas in Elbert County. Both are have all the credentials they need to run the office of coroner. Here’s where things get a little weird though, there’s something going on in the coroner’s office and I’m looking in to this.

This is what I’ve been able to come up with. Over the last couple years there has been a trouble trend at the office.

1 year ago 9news

A former Douglas County coroner’s investigator faces charges in connection with a traffic stop he wasn’t allowed to perform.

Rick Nanney resigned September 10 after admitting to 9Wants to Know investigative reporter Kyle Clark that he pulled over a driver near his home.

18th Judicial District Attorney Carol Chambers submitted two charges against Nanney on Friday: A felony charge of impersonating a police officer and a misdemeanor charge of official oppression.

1 year ago DenverPost

Several drivers who saw a 9Wants To Know investigation about a Doug las County coroner’s investigator say they, too, were pulled over by a suspicious-acting man who was driving an unmarked emergency vehicle.

Investigator Rick Nanney resigned Thursday, a day after admitting to 9Wants to Know that he performed a traffic stop, but should not have done it.

Coroner’s office employees do not have the power to enforce traffic laws anywhere in Colorado.

Prosecutors have not decided whether to follow a recommendation from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office that Nanney be charged with impersonating a police officer, which is a felony. Investigators also recommended misdemeanor charges of official misconduct and false imprisonment.

1 year ago 9news

County commissioners cut a check to a former employee who accused the county coroner of interfering with the autopsy of a political ally’s brother.

The 9Wants to Know investigators have learned that former deputy coroner Robert Montgomery and his attorneys will split $196,560.

The settlement was approved by Douglas County Commissioners on September 13.

The total cost to taxpayers will be $250,000, the amount of the county’s insurance deductable, said county attorney Lance Ingalls.

Montgomery sued in 2008, saying he was fired after he expressed concerns about coroner Wes Riber’s handling of the autopsy of Jack Acree.

again from Denver Post

Douglas County’s former assistant chief deputy coroner has filed suit claiming he was fired because he spoke about a possible coverup involving the death of a former sheriff’s brother and financial impropriety.

Robert Montgomery filed the lawsuit late Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Denver against the Douglas County Board of Commissioners and county coroner Wes Riber.

“Mr. Montgomery was fired because he spoke out on matters of public concern, including his opposition to the possible cover-up by defendant and county coroner Wesley Riber, of the suicide of a political ally’s brother, as well as Riber’s abuse of his position for personal financial gain,” the suit says.

Riber’s attorney, Tom Rice, said the lawsuit is without merit.

“The whole premise of the lawsuit is just false,” Rice said. “The idea that he was fired for speaking out is simply wrong.”

Rice said he could not discuss the reason for Montgomery’s May 29 dismissal because it is a personnel matter.

Time and time again, there seems to a major issue with this department. There’s also been another lawsuit, regarding a personnel matter, I haven’t been able to get any more info on that as of yet.

Like I said there’s just something not right with the current state of affairs at the Douglas County Coroner’s Office. I mean, if it were one thing on it’s own, or two incidents, maybe three. But there another issue that is a little off. Take a look at this slide, notice anything just a little…off?

See a pdf of these numbers..

There’s something really wrong with these numbers. I’ll let you draw your own conclusion, but do you really want more of the same, or would it be a better idea to have an outside in to the equation. A fresh set of eyes? Or old eyes, the same old management?