Several staff have quit. It's the people he surrounds himself with. I'm so disappointed.
Governor Bill Ritter and US attorney nominee Stephanie Villafuerte had an affair as early as 2006, confirming reports circulating among political "in-the-know" for years, acording to a source who chooses not to disclose their identity. The Senate Judiciary Committee will review Villafuerte's nomination for US attorney soon. Senator Max Baucus created controversy by nominating his mistress for a US attorney position, making the Villafuerte's relationship with the Governor relevant.
Greg Kolomitz, Governor Ritter's disgraced former campaign manager, first made the allegations in 2006, when he traded insults with Jim Carpenter, Ritter's chief of staff at the time. Colorado Pols, the PR flak's blog, has seen several posts on the allegations of an affair.
First, Mr. Kolomitz's statements that his relationship with Gov. Ritter soured because he called in a female staffer during the campaign in October 2006...
The Denver Post's Karen Crummy alluded to the affair as well.
In the first, a top aide to candidate Ritter met with Kolomitz and MacDonald. The two told the aide that there was an appearance that she and Ritter were too cozy and that perception often trumps reality in politics.
Of course, Stephanie Villafuerte denied any affair in the Karen Crummy story. Kolomitz did say he never had proof.
The aide, who now works in the governor's office, denied an inappropriate relationship with Ritter. Kolomitz said that to this day he has no knowledge of anything untoward in her relationship with Ritter.
The FBI investigated Stephanie Villafuerte when the Cory Voorhis firing occurred. The FBI was not seeking to prove or disprove an affair between Ritter and Villafuerte.
That was then. Now more staff are admitting there was an affair. If there was an affair, a legitimate legal issue arises. Did Governor Ritter favor Stephanie Villafuerte with a nomination for US attorney because she was or had been his mistress?
The Senate Judiciary should ask Villafuerte, did you have an affair with Governor Bill Ritter?
In light of Senator Max Baucus's nomination of his mistress for a US attorney position, the Villafuerte accusations are relevant. Baucus was separated (or so he says) at the time he nominated his mistress. Both Villafuerte and Ritter are married.
The Governor's office has not responded to a request by Examiner.com for clarification.
Comments
When is all this sleeping around going to stop and citizens concern themselves with real issues? Time to throw these sexual parasites out of office - they do not deserve to be funded by our tax dollars when they sleep around.
I feel sorry for Mrs. Ritter, she doesn't deserve this - nor does Stephanie's husband.
Annie: Thanks for stopping by! Yes, I agree. Mrs. Ritter, Mr. Villafuerte do not deserve their cheating spouses. Who does? The taxpayers do not deserve appointees and job seekers who are dishonest enough to betray their spouses. If they betray their spouses, where do they draw the line?
Do you have anything to substantiate this with other than your "source who chooses not to disclose their identity?" If you don't, this is smear of the worst kind and should be immediately deleted.
Cheap: Thanks for stopping by! You missed the point. It is not just about a rumor of an affair. Villafuerte was nominated by Ritter for the US attorney position. Max Baucus opened the door. He denied similar rumors in 1999. He used Senator Daschle as a foil, and denigrated his accuser, then his chief of staff. It's one thing to spend taxpayer dollars and time running off to Argentina. It's an entirely different animal (lol)when you nominate your mistress to the US attorney position. We deserve to know. BTW, my source is loyal to Governor Ritter and denied the affair last year. It was the sudden admission that inspired my story. I like Governor Ritter. We were in the l993 Leadership Denver Class together, and served in Denver government as DA and Election Commissioner together. I did find him somewhat partisan when he once commented to me that Republicans "eat their young." Apparently the Democrats prefer another bodily function.
That's great--until anything you claim is corroborated or admitted to, you are just a peddler of unsubstantiated slander in the service of Ritter's political opposition. And you have no credibility with me.
Cheap: Thanks again for your comments. Please understand. I do not seek your approval. Or anyone's approval, including Ritter's opposition, whoever they are. Before you label the claims slander, perhaps wait and see if they do admit the affair. I would suggest it is rare for politicians to just come clean when the rumors first emerge. Remember a finger pointing Bill Clinton, "I did not...." Or Sanford being off on the Applachian trail. And so it goes.
This is laughable, especially because Governors do not appoint U.S. attorneys, nor do they make recommendations to the President about U.S. attorneys. Senators make recommendations to the President and the President appoints a person to be confirmed by the Senate. This is so sadly uninformed and irresponsible - and such a blatant sexist and partisan attempt to distract from substantive policy issues that it's offensive. And what is up with the random quote at the top? Is that supposed to be from Stephanie?
Isn't it Ritter who recommended Ms. Villafuerte to Bennett and then Udall followed? Aren't they all in this together? Udall & Bennett are supporting Ms. Villafuerte at Ritter's suggestion seems to be the peoples belief. Shed some light on this - what is the truth.
This is laughable, especially because Governors do not appoint U.S. attorneys, nor do they make recommendations to the President about U.S. attorneys. Senators make recommendations to the President and the President appoints a person to be confirmed by the Senate. This is so sadly uninformed and irresponsible - and such a blatant sexist and partisan attempt to distract from substantive policy issues that it's offensive. And what is up with the random quote at the top? Is that supposed to be from Stephanie?
Maggie: Thank you for making several points at once. The relationship between Ritter-Villafuerte is the issue. Did I say Ritter appoints Villafuerte? Your tactic is familiar. Discredit my point by name calling it as laughable, blatant sexist, partisan and offensive. Too bad you don't find the practics of Baucus and Ritter the same. Why is your feminist outrage directed at me? The quote, if you read the article, was from the informed insider who confirmed the affair. I would think someone who thinks so highly of their own opinion would be more observant, both of what the article said, and who is commiting an offense.
Get off your high horse, Jan. You did in fact say that the Governor "nominated" Ms. Villafuerte to be U.S. Attorney. (See your comment at 5:33 p.m.) And Maggie was spot on to point out that you are simply wrong on this point. Senators have a role in the confirmation process, governors do not. Moreover, your stray quote at the top of your blog post is not attributed to anyone; it looks more like stray commentary from you or a quote from Ms. Villafurte than it does a quote from your unnamed, unidentified anonymous "insider." Your knee-jerk attack on Maggie for pointing out your lack of understanding of basic civics and your inability to properly source material reflects rather poorly on you as a citizen journalist. Then again, once you decide to engage in naked rumor mongering there's not much journalistic pride that could possibly remain.
Walter: Thanks for joining us! You clearly do not understand how citizen journalists work. We are on foot, not perched on horses.I got the distinction between nomination and confirmation, you did not. Criticizing the Examiner.com layout technology doesn't help your point. I had a source. You just wanted to discredit both of us. Name calling is always a sign of insecurity, so I'll forgive the knee-jerk thing. BTW, opposition is not attack. I, like everyone else, have heard this rumor since 2006. Her nomination for us attorney,and my sources admission last night inspired me to write the story. Appointments, jobs, nominations are not legacies, clubs and entitlements.Baucus lied in l999, Clinton lied, Sanford lied...who admits to an affair? Politicians should not push their mistresses into powerful positions@! I'll decide on my pride, which to honor my pilgrim ancestors, I apprehensively recall pride goeth before a fall.
I applaude you is reporting the news others will not. Some have been naive if they think the appointment of Villafuerte is not payback for Ritter appointing Bennett. What you have done is investigative journalism, except for Peter Boyles, it does not exist in the fluff news stations that inhabit Denver airways. It's not an affair I care about, it the paybacks and cronyism and special reqards I hate. Keep up the good work!
Politics is a dirty business, yet we the public are to blame because we keep voting in the likes of Ritter, Degette, Markey, Polis, Udall, etc. I wouldn't buy a used car from any of these, why did we vote them in office. Can't we find honest people to run in Colorado, we used to. In Colorado the dirty politics are permeating into Police Departments, city councils and just about everywhere. Didn't we learn from Louisiana about this type of corruption. They are just now trying to grow out of inbred corruption.
Keep it up, the news channels won't!
"Tyler's information is based on "a source who chooses not to disclose their identity," which doesn't constitute proof by even the most minimal standards -- and that's an absolute requirement in cases like these, as pointed out in this space yesterday." Michael Roberts of Westword. And that from your fellow tabloid sensationalist. I see you in a civil courtroom at the defense table soon. Good luck -- you will need it.
I was a Democrat until two weeks ago when I finally sickened of what Ritter and crew carried out. You know what? I don't need it to go to court to know what went down. Dems in Colorado, at least related to the Voorhis case, are about them and their future and the people are at the bottom of the list.
Now independant, as Repubs are just rotten overall, the other issue that drove it home was the setting of the terrorist trial and listening to the arrogance of Mark Green of Air America after meeting with Eric Holder. It is about political payback to Bush etc. I hate Bush, Cheney on and on but you don't do this.
It sickens me that the garbage repubs spew; eliteism mainly, is playing out.
Thanks.
Like the stoners abusing medical marijuana in Denver, there will be a backlash. (I am for legalization, but do it right you ignorant, arrogant asses).
I was a Democrat until two weeks ago when I finally sickened of what Ritter and crew carried out. You know what? I don't need it to go to court to know what went down. Dems in Colorado, at least related to the Voorhis case, are about them and their future and the people are at the bottom of the list.
Now independant, as Repubs are just rotten overall, the other issue that drove it home was the setting of the terrorist trial and listening to the arrogance of Mark Green of Air America after meeting with Eric Holder. It is about political payback to Bush etc. I hate Bush, Cheney on and on but you don't do this.
It sickens me that the garbage repubs spew; eliteism mainly, is playing out.
Thanks.
Like the stoners abusing medical marijuana in Denver, there will be a backlash. (I am for legalization, but do it right you ignorant, arrogant asses).
Sam: Thanks for the predictions! Seers are the best! Michael's divination of my partisanship is contagious. Too bad the evidence isn't there. I was a Democrat longer than I have been a Republican. It must be hard for you to grasp that some people are just plain original thinkers, independent and not willing to follow anyone. Upsetting, isn't it?
Jim K: Thanks for stopping by! I feel your pain. Although I converted more than a decade ago, I can still think like a Democrat. I understand.I once believed all the good guys were Democrats. Now I just wonder where the good guys are.
Ms. Tyler,
Thank you for your column on an alleged Ritter/Villafuerte affair. This Cory Voorhis story is by all appearances, as Mr. Peter Boyles has said repeated, one of the major scandals in Colorado's political history. The scope of the story is breathtaking, in that the players have destroyed lives in pursuit of political agenda.
Given all the surrounding circumstances of this case, if you have a solid source it seems to me that you are certainly within the bounds of journalistic and legal ethics to publish the story. And the people who believe that you are vulnerable to a libel suit must understand (or perhaps they do not understand) that if you are sued, then the confidential informant can be called forward and testify under oath as to the truth of the story. So, if there was, or is, in fact an affair between Ritter and Villafuerte, they are both lawyers and know full well the immense peril in filing a libel suit that would bring all the truth to light.
Just another piece of trash promoted by and on a trash talk show. Maybe your blog should focus on a society lacking the responsibility for their their actions, Cory Voorhis. Thank you for leaving the Democratic Party, we should have probably kicked you out years ago!
If by "original thinker" you mean defamer, then I agree with you totally. Of course all libelous blogs are original. They are, in fact, fiction.
Swimfunzo, you say "Maybe your blog should focus on a society lacking the responsibility for their their actions.", and I couldn't agree more. You're right. All these clowns around Ritter should take the responsibility for their actions when it comes to lying to the FBI, committing perjury, and letting illegal aliens off with a hand slap, only to go rape little kids. You are absolutely right.
Sam: Thanks again for helping me out! As Election Reform Examiner.com for more than a year, I have noticed a pattern. My bias is center right. Therefore, I am a defamer, partisan, blah, blah, blah. You progressives really cannot tolerate dissent.
Swimfunzo, you say "Maybe your blog should focus on a society lacking the responsibility for their their actions.", and I couldn't agree more. You're right. All these clowns around Ritter should take the responsibility for their actions when it comes to lying to the FBI, committing perjury, and letting illegal aliens off with a hand slap, only to go rape little kids. You are absolutely right.
I was a Democrat until two weeks ago when I finally sickened of what Ritter and crew carried out. You know what? I don't need it to go to court to know what went down. Dems in Colorado, at least related to the Voorhis case, are about them and their future and the people are at the bottom of the list.
Now independant, as Repubs are just rotten overall, the other issue that drove it home was the setting of the terrorist trial and listening to the arrogance of Mark Green of Air America after meeting with Eric Holder. It is about political payback to Bush etc. I hate Bush, Cheney on and on but you don't do this.
It sickens me that the garbage repubs spew; eliteism mainly, is playing out.
Thanks.
Like the stoners abusing medical marijuana in Denver, there will be a backlash. (I am for legalization, but do it right you ignorant, arrogant asses).
Jan: Thanks for the work you are doing regarding this story. I became aware of this story recently, and sad to say, where Bill is concerned, I am not surprised. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Ms. Tyler, I recommend you google, "how to appoint a U.S. Attorney," as you still seem to have trouble grasping the process for appointing a U.S. Attorney.
Maggie: Thanks for your repeated advice. I will never follow it. What you do not grasp is this is not about me. It is about Governor Ritter and Stephanie having an extramarital affair. It is about Governor Ritter influencing the nomination, no matter who does it. It is about Colorado's culture of corruption, which fosters people like Stephanie who believe they are entitled to appointments and jobs because they are part of an inner circle. I've accomplished my mission. Senator Sessions has asked for a delay so Stephanie can be fully vetted. Mike Coffman has asked the real partisan, Eric Holder, to investigate the Voorhis debacle. Stephanie lied to the FBI. That alone should disqualify her.
newbie: Welcome! I have always depended on the kindness of strangers. The predator bloggoons are everywhere. I'm unencumbered, nimble and as you will see, prolific.
Ms. Tyler: I so look forward to you columns. You are a breath of fresh air for Denver. The only other credible writer is Karen Crummy of the Denver Post. She is so right on target with her columns. Stay focused, Denver needs more of you.
She wasn't at Ritter's speech. Can you guess why?
Ms. Tyler - Is Stephanie Villafuerte still working for Governor Ritter? Her name doesn't appear on his site any longer.
She is still working at Governor Ritter's Office as his Deputy Chief of Staff for outreach and administration. She's also still getting paid over $100K but not showing up for work very often.
Kat: Thanks for dropping by! If you know of anyone who can verify Stephanie's employment, salary and attendance, I'd like to talk with them. theneutralone@yahoo.com. I've already spent a couple of hours working through traditional channels - no results. I do have a call into the Governor's press secretary as well. As taxpayers we have a right to know if she is employed, for how much, and if she shows up for work.
This is not journalism. This is rumor-mongering, and it gives Examiner.com and its effort to establish itself as a real source of actual news (not gossip) a bad name. Please refrain from writing about wild conspiracy stories.
Even if Gov. Ritter did have an affair, of which there is no evidence, it isn't the public's business.
Colorado Statehouse Examiner: Thanks for taking a moment to comment. I understand your thinking. Thankfully, we have Examiner.com and freedom of the press, since you believe that even if we could produce a photo and concrete evidence, that proof should be censored. By you? Who would you propose actually do the censoring? Congress? Good try, but I think I'll pass on any advice you might offer. Don't stop! Comments like yours entertain me endlessly! Keep up the good work!
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