GOLDEN, Colo. (July 25, 2024) – The Grand Jury for Jefferson and Gilpin counties has indicted Robert Joel Gordanier and his daughter, Brenda Renee Hamilton, for crimes committed between July 2019 and November 2023. Gordanier was Mayor, Chief of Police, and Fire Department Chief, of the Town of Lakeside, and Hamilton was Town Clerk. The ten count indictment includes Embezzlement of Public Property, Theft, First Degree Official Misconduct, and Impersonating a Peace Officer.
The First Judicial District Grand Jury opened its investigation on November 17, 2023, shortly after CBS Colorado reported on allegations of misconduct. Gordanier has remained in his role as Chief of Police throughout the investigation, but resigned as Mayor in April of 2024. Hamilton was placed on administrative leave in November of 2023.
The facts supporting the indictment are:
In March of 2018, the Town of Lakeside purchased a black Dodge Charger from a law enforcement auction to be used as Town Property by the Lakeside Police Department. In July 2021, Hamilton, with the approval of Gordanier, purchased the Charger from the Town of Lakeside for $500 when the fair market value was $8588. The Charger was later sold to a third party.
In September 2021, the Town of Lakeside purchased a Ford Fusion from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office at a discounted price to be used as Town property by the Lakeside Police Department. The price was below fair market value and was specially offered by Arapahoe County to assist the smaller Lakeside Police Department. Three months later, Hamilton, with the approval of Gordanier, purchased the Ford Fusion from the Town of Lakeside for $1000 when the fair market value was $9688. The Fusion was later sold to a third-party for $12,000.
In April of 2017, the Town of Lakeside purchased a Chevrolet Tahoe from the Glenwood Springs Police Department for $8500. In September of 2022, with the approval of Gordanier, Hamilton purchased the Tahoe for $300 or it was given to her. Hamilton then sold the Tahoe to a third-party for between $6000 and $7000.
The investigation revealed that between January 2022 and November 2023, Hamilton used a Visa credit card associated with the Town of Lakeside to purchase items at Costco retail locations that were kept by Hamilton and not provided to the Town of Lakeside. Hamilton also charged a $120 membership fee for her personal Costco membership to the Town of Lakeside’s Visa account. The amount of Town of Lakeside funds spent on unauthorized purchases at Costco was $494.61.
The investigation further revealed that on July 25, 2023, Hamilton was operating a commissioned police vehicle in the Town of Lakeside. At approximately 7:03 p.m. the Town of Mountain View aired a suspicious person contact with an individual later identified as Dominick Bonavich. Following this airing, Hamilton observed Bonavich in the parking lot of the Walmart located at 5957 W. 44th Ave. Hamilton activated the red and blue flashing lights on the police vehicle she was driving and followed Bonavich in the police vehicle through a portion of the parking lot, in an attempt to stop, arrest, or detain Bonavich. Bonavich reacted to the activation of the red and blue lights on the police vehicle driven by Hamilton by fleeing away from the vehicle and attempting to forcibly take a motor vehicle from the possession of a citizen in the Walmart parking lot. A Walmart employee witnessed the attempted robbery by Bonavich and sought assistance from the police vehicle operated by Hamilton. Despite Hamilton having access to a police radio, Hamilton did not radio for assistance. The employee approached Bonavich and forcibly removed him from the vehicle, as no Lakeside police personnel were nearby.
Gordanier faces the following seven counts: Three counts of Embezzlement of Public Property (F5), one count of Theft (F4), and three counts of First Degree Official Misconduct (M1).
Hamilton faces the following ten counts: Four counts of Embezzlement of Public Property (F5), one count of Theft (F4), one count of Impersonating a Peace Officer (F5), and four counts of First Degree Official Misconduct (M1).
On July 25, 2024, Gordanier turned himself into the Jefferson County Jail and was released on a $25,000 Personal Recognizance bond. He will be advised on August 6, 2024. It is not known at this time if the appearance will be streamed via WebEx. The case number is 24CR1836
On July 23, 2024, Hamilton turned herself into the Jefferson County Jail and was released on a $25,000 Personal Recognizance bond. She will be advised on August 2, 2024. It is not known at this time if the appearance will be streamed via WebEx. The case number is 24CR1835
A copy of the grand jury indictment can be requested from the court at [email protected].
The charges are merely legal allegations; Robert Gordanier and Brenda Hamilton are presumed innocent of the charges against them unless and until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.