Democrat Governor Accused Of Not Investigating Child Sex Abuse

Via American Action News:

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Colorado, John Hickenlooper, was widely considered the (slight) favorite in next year’s election against incumbent Republican Cory Gardner.

That may have changed following allegations by fellow Democrat and Hickenlooper primary opponent Andrew Romanoff that Hickenlooper didn’t sufficiently investigate rampant child sex abuse by Catholic clergy as governor.

Per the Washington Free Beacon:

Romanoff said Hickenlooper as governor should have authorized a grand jury through executive order. His remarks came after former attorney general Cynthia Coffman (R.) told the Colorado Sun last week that she discussed with then-governor Hickenlooper turning an independent review of alleged child sex assault in three Colorado Catholic dioceses into a criminal investigation.

“This is a devastating account of children abused & justice denied,” Romanoff tweeted, referring to the Sun report. “At least 166 victims—most of whom were sexually abused after the Catholic dioceses were informed about the priests’ conduct. Why didn’t Gov. Hickenlooper request a grand jury investigation?”

This is a devastating account of children abused & justice denied. At least 166 victims—most of whom were sexually abused after the Catholic dioceses were informed about the priests’ conduct. Why didn’t Gov. Hickenlooper request a grand jury investigation? https://t.co/yEHDSycpk0

— Andrew Romanoff (@Romanoff2020) November 1, 2019

A spokeswoman for Hickenlooper said the Romanoff team is reading too much into Coffman’s account of the situation.

Converting the independent review into a criminal probe by a grand jury would have given the attorney general’s office much broader investigatory powers, primarily through the ability to issue subpoenas.

The race between the eventual Democratic nominee and Garner may decide who controls the Senate next year.