Former legislative allies parted over charges of fraud

They were political allies in the legislature and worked together in the Jefferson County treasurer's office, but whether Republicans Mark Paschall and Jim Congrove were friends is debatable.

Paschall says they used to be friends but aren't any more. Congrove says they never were.

Whatever their relationship was, it no longer exists, which was made clear two weeks ago.

Paschall went on trial on charges that he solicited a kickback from a bonus he approved for an aide at the end of his term as Jefferson County treasurer. The aide told Congrove, who called the district attorney.

Paschall was acquitted, in part, Congrove believes, because his attorney, David Lane, is "an expert on smoke and mirrors."

"Mark wanted to blame it on everybody else, and the jury bought it," Congrove said.

When informed of Congrove's remark, Paschall asked to have it repeated. "Well, that's a good friend," Paschall said.

He declined further comment.

Lane told a Jefferson County jury that Congrove was mad at Paschall because of an argument over unrelated grand jury testimony.

"This case is not about a kickback, it's about political payback," Lane said. "We are here because Jim Congrove hates Mark Paschall with an undying passion."

Said Congrove: "I have no vendetta against Mark."

The jury acquitted Paschall on a charge of attempted theft. Jurors could not agree on a second charge of compensation for past official behavior. Lane said he was told eight jurors supported acquittal.

"It was not a strong enough case from the prosecution," Arvada resident Richard Myroth, one of the 12 jurors, told the Columbine Courier.

Jefferson County District Attorney Scott Storey's office is deciding whether to pursue a second trial on the remaining charge.

Paschall and Congrove, both of Arvada, served together at the state legislature in the 1990s and were allies on conservative issues, from guns to gays.

Congrove lost his Senate re- election bid in 2000, and Paschall left the House in 2002 because of term limits. That fall, Paschall won the Jefferson County treasurer's race and hired Congrove to work for him.

The prosecution subpoenaed Congrove but never called him. His name, however, came up repeatedly during the trial.

"They had to come up with something," Congrove said.

Lane fired back.

"Given the number of grand jury investigations on Jim Congrove, who has managed to avoid an indictment, I guess he would be considered an expert on smoke and mirrors," Lane said.

Congrove was the subject of a yearlong investigation into charges he improperly retained a private eye to conduct surveillance on a longtime critic of the county. A special prosecutor in January declined to file charges.

A Jefferson County grand jury in 2006 investigated allegations that Congrove submitted fraudulent documents to a bank loan officer. No charges were filed.

Congrove said Paschall became upset in 2006 when he lost his re-election primary to Republican Faye Griffin by 2,388 votes.

Paschall's tenure in office had been marked by controversy, including a request to commissioners for more than $175,000 to remodel his office, and $25,000 for a Cadillac Escalade.

"When he lost, he couldn't believe it," Congrove said. "He had a hard time dealing with it. Hell, he did nothing to win the race. He went to Hawaii two weeks before the election. His ego was bigger than the number of votes he got."

During his last days in office, Paschall authorized a $25,000 bonus for Kathy Redmond, his administrative coordinator. According to the indictment, Paschall told Redmond the bonus would amount to $18,000 after taxes and he expected her to give him half.