OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Jefferson and Gilpin Counties
DAVID J. THOMAS
DISTRICT ATTORNEY

October 23, 2002

Fleet Russell White, Jr.
(address redacted)

Dear Mr. White,

I received your letter dated October 22, 2002, regarding the case of People v. Craig Lewis. In
it you request that I conduct an investigation and possibly charge individuals with violations of
CRS 18-8-306. In your attached affidavits you attribute certain statements to me. I remember
the discussion quite well. I also remember the meeting I had with Mr. Kendall and other
attorneys. At no time did I believe that they were attempting to influence me in a way that
violated Colorado criminal statutes. They were aggressive and attempting to be persuasive but
nothing in their conduct breached ethics or Colorado statutes. They did refer to the fact that no
other District Attorney had taken such action against the Globe or its staff and that it may
reflect badly on my office and upon myself. At no time do I recall them telling me that I would
“no longer work again anywhere.” It is not uncommon for defense counsel to discuss with me
the community standard, the public image aspects of our decisions and how decisions might
reflect upon me as an elected official. The statute requires that the attempt to influence a public
servant be by means “of deceit or by threat of violence or economic reprisal…”. Such was not
the case in this instance.

The meeting to which you refer occurred with the respective attorneys almost two years ago.
The meeting I had with you was more than a year ago. It is hard to fathom what has prompted
you to contact me at this point in time. I respectfully decline to conduct an investigation or to
seek a special prosecutor.

Sincerely,

David J. Thomas
District Attorney