SOUTHERN COLORADO, CO — Former 11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley has been ordered to pay over $300,000 following a civil lawsuit filed by county commissioners from Fremont, Custer, and Chaffee counties. The lawsuit stemmed from claims that Stanley misused taxpayer funds to cover personal legal expenses during an ethics investigation into her conduct.
Stanley, who served as district attorney over the three counties, was disbarred last year after a series of violations related to her handling of cases, most notably during the high-profile Barry Morphew murder trial. The charges against her included breaches of attorney conduct rules, which ultimately led to her disbarment.
According to court documents, the lawsuit alleged that Stanley used public money to pay for personal legal fees for both herself and her staff during the investigation into her actions. County commissioners from Fremont, Custer, and Chaffee counties filed the civil suit, seeking to recover the funds that they claim were improperly used.
The case against Stanley escalated when she failed to respond to the civil lawsuit or appear in court. As a result, the judge ruled in favor of the county commissioners, ordering Stanley to pay the $300,000 in restitution. The ruling was made after Stanley’s continued absence from proceedings.
The civil suit has added another layer of legal and financial consequences for Stanley, who had already faced significant scrutiny during her tenure as district attorney. Her disbarment and this latest judgment highlight the ongoing fallout from her controversial actions while in office.
At this time, it remains unclear whether Stanley will appeal the decision or take any further legal action regarding the lawsuit. The case continues to draw attention to the broader implications of misconduct within public office and the responsibility of elected officials to uphold ethical standards.
The counties involved in the lawsuit have yet to comment publicly on the judge’s ruling.
