FRAUD: Tina Peters
- Yasmin Sudarsanam
- Dec 14, 2024
- 3 min read
In the fall of 2024, Tina Peters, a former Colorado county clerk, was sentenced to nine years in prison for her role in a voting data scheme tied to baseless claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Her conviction marked the first time a local election official was prosecuted over a security breach related to those events, serving as a stark warning about the risks posed by individuals in positions of trust swayed by election misinformation. This is the story of Tina Peters.
Tina Peters grew up in the rugged terrain of Colorado’s Western Slope, a region known for its vineyards and oil and gas drilling. Before entering public service, she worked in real estate, gaining a reputation as a determined professional. Her eventual move into politics was driven by a desire to represent the community she called home, and she was elected Mesa County Clerk in 2018. As clerk, Peters oversaw elections in the rural county, a role that placed her at the intersection of local governance and the growing national discourse on election security.
Mesa County became a focal point in 2021 after Peters was implicated in a data breach scheme aimed at uncovering supposed proof of voting machine fraud. Her actions stemmed from false claims about the 2020 presidential election, which alleged widespread manipulation of voting systems. According to prosecutors, Peters allowed a man affiliated with MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell to misuse a security card to access the Mesa County election system, helping him conceal his identity. Lindell, a vocal supporter of election conspiracy theories, had been seeking evidence to support the claim that voting machines were rigged to “steal” the election from former President Donald Trump.
The breach was part of a broader effort to cast doubt on the integrity of voting systems. Peters insisted she acted to protect election security, but prosecutors painted her as a Republican who sought fame and became consumed by tales of voter fraud. Her actions not only compromised the election system but also cost the local government an estimated $1.4 million in legal fees and lost employee time.
In 2023, Peters was convicted of multiple charges, including attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, and violation of duty. However, she was found not guilty on charges of identity theft and conspiracy impersonation. During her October 2024 sentencing hearing, Peters delivered an impassioned 40-minute speech, repeating claims of election fraud and presenting evidence deemed inadmissible during her trial. She broke down in tears, citing health issues as a reason she could not endure imprisonment. Judge Matthew Barrett ultimately cut her off, condemning her lack of remorse and continued promotion of debunked conspiracy theories. He sentenced her to eight and a half years in the Colorado Department of Corrections, with an additional six months in the Mesa County Detention Center.
Peters’ sentencing underscores the dangers posed by election officials sympathetic to false narratives. Her case highlights how insider access can be exploited to undermine democratic systems, raising concerns about the future of election security. As the first local election official prosecuted for a security breach related to the 2020 election, her conviction sends a powerful message about the consequences of tampering with the voting process.
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