Robert Gordanier, former police chief, fire chief, and mayor of Lakeside, Colorado, has been indicted by a grand jury along with his daughter, Brenda Renee Hamilton, for alleged embezzlement involving police property. The indictment includes charges of embezzlement of public property, theft, first-degree official misconduct, and impersonating a police officer. Both Gordanier and Hamilton turned themselves in and were released on bond.
Former Lakeside police officer Steve Belarga, who was fired for speaking out about racism and nepotism within the department, welcomed the indictments. He accused Hamilton of acquiring police vehicles from auctions and selling them for personal gain. Belarga won a civil rights complaint for wrongful termination but did not disclose the amount received.
The indictment also details an incident in which Hamilton, not a police officer, pursued a man in a police vehicle with lights on in a mall parking lot. Lakeside, with only 17 residents, has a high ratio of police officers to residents due to Lakeside Amusement Park and Lakeside Mall.
Gordanier remains chief of police for Lakeside, while McCoy was recently promoted to assistant chief. Hamilton, the former town clerk, was placed on administrative leave. The first court appearances for Hamilton and Gordanier are scheduled in August in Jefferson County. Former officers expressed relief that the indictments were handed down and criminal charges will be pursued.
The Lakeside Police Department did not respond to requests for comment.
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