Colorado House ethics panel pauses Lindsay hearing to appoint counsel

The Colorado House Committee on Ethics paused an evidentiary hearing Monday after Rep. Mandy Lindsay requested legal counsel, then voted 6-0 to retain an attorney for her from the committee’s approved roster.

The committee did not name a lawyer or reset the hearing before adjourning. Staff said they would work with Lindsay and attorneys on the approved list to find someone available and acceptable to her.

The pause leaves no set completion date for the hearing. Staff told members House rules require only that the hearing begin within 14 days of the request for one, not that it finish on a fixed timetable. Members discussed possible dates in July and early August but adopted none.

The complaint, filed by Rep. Bob Marshall, alleges Lindsay mishandled House Democratic caucus funds while helping oversee that account. The Denver Post reported that the complaint accused Lindsay of improperly reimbursing herself from caucus money, including a $2,500 check marked as a dues return and more than $6,300 tied to a caucus retreat. Colorado Politics reported that the complaint said Lindsay had not personally paid the dues tied to that reimbursement.

The committee also approved a motion allowing Lindsay to submit written changes to her witness list within one week after counsel is appointed.

As of Tuesday morning, no public record reviewed for this story showed that counsel had been formally selected or that a new hearing date had been officially noticed.