November 12, 2025 • 32 mins
Jimmy Sengenberger, investigative reporter and columnist for The Gazette, joins Ryan to discuss his latest: In Jeffco, taxpayers and community come last. At issue, Thursday's JeffCo school board vote on selling the closed school Emory property to Lakewood.
https://x.com/SengCenter/status/1988650015104127341?t=d6UUav951nIM1yBtYc0ddA&s=19
https://x.com/SengCenter/status/1988650015104127341?t=d6UUav951nIM1yBtYc0ddA&s=19
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
We spend time responding to constituents with names and addresses
who have questions that they want us to respond.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
To, and we do that.
Speaker 3 (00:06):
The mayor says the account doesn't bother him, but the
Denver Police Union suspected someone in the city was bothered
enough to order an investigation and to do better Denver.
The union filed a public records requests with Denver Police
for documents related to the investigation. DPD denied the request,
saying the balance of the interests weighs against public disclosure.
(00:30):
We asked Johnston whether he ordered an investigation.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
He didn't answer.
Speaker 4 (00:34):
Oh.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
We followed up with his spokesperson, who said he himself
has no knowledge of anything like that.
Speaker 5 (00:41):
I know he is under the impression that if he
finds out who I am, he can slence my account.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
An account the mayor says, is dragging down the city,
and she says is making a difference. She says she
was the first to report that a shelter employee accused
of sexually assaulting a resident had been hired by the
Salvation Army despite a violent criminal record. The city pulled
the Salvation Army's contract. She posted about people breaking into
(01:07):
a low income, Housing Development, and Sun Valley residents thanked her,
saying it resulted in management hiring security, and she showed
us numerous examples of encampments being cleared shortly after she
flagged them for police. She says she's also helped facilitate
family reunifications.
Speaker 5 (01:26):
One of those people told me their family member is
actually they went into rehabbit is six months over.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
That to me is a huge win. What is your
end goal?
Speaker 5 (01:36):
I want to see Denver start enforcing the laws that
we have. I want to see zero tolerance for public
drug useing camping. I want to see a shift from
housing first and harm reduction to programs that demand accountabilities.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
She also wants greater accountability for repeat violent offenders. She
posts booking photos and criminal records of those released on
lower no bond. She says people have threatened her life,
which is why she remains anonymous, even as she calls
herself a citizen journalist. If you're a journalist, why not
put your name and face on the work that you
(02:15):
do and take the heat for it.
Speaker 5 (02:16):
I don't have the institutional backing of someone like CBS,
don't have any legal resources, I don't have any safety protections.
This is not an easy thing to do.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
She says.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
She manages the account while working full time and spends
at least twenty hours a week posting videos and hundreds
of dollars on criminal records.
Speaker 5 (02:36):
I've had people offered by the account. I've had you know,
people try to get.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Promotions run on the account. But I think it's.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
Important that I stay non monetized, because then people know
that I'm doing this for the right reasons. I don't
want the credit for this. I just want to be
able to have a positive impact on the city that
I live in.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
She told me she does regret some of her posts
and vowed to avoid any personal attacks going forward. Whether
you agree or disagree with her approach, she says the
cities isn't working and it's unsustainable, pointing to this year's
two hundred million dollar budget shortfall. Well, she says she's
always loved Denver. She's actually she's considering moving. She says
(03:18):
to the city is so dominated by progressive voices and
ideas that there's little room left for other perspectives. So
a lot of people might say why doesn't she run
for office make some changes herself, and she says she's
considered running for office, but she believes she can affect
more change with Do Better Denver. Thinks of it as
her volunteerism and the city, and she also says she
(03:40):
actually enjoys her paid job.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Sean, thank you for that.
Speaker 6 (03:45):
That's Karen Lee CBS Colorado for the anchor in that exchange.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
With Sean Boyd.
Speaker 6 (03:50):
Remarkable reporting here as usual about a seven minute package here.
Think about that time dedicated and I'm just looking at
this from like a news perspective, having worked in a
television newsroom. Really to dedicate that amount of real estate,
those resources and allow Sean Boyd to just do her
thing and tell this story and do it in a
fair and accurate and detailed and thorough way on behalf
(04:13):
of do Better Denver. But then also bringing in the
mayor Mike Johnston. He was on camera, he was on
the record. Their little little subtle dig here at the beginning.
I want to revisit that real quick.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
We spend time responding to constituents with names and addresses
who have questions that they want us to respond to,
and we do.
Speaker 6 (04:29):
That then, so you know, that's a shot at Do
Better Denver's anonymity and the name not being forthcoming. But
even if she did come out, let's say publicly and said, hey,
I'm running this account. Mayor now what, It's not like
he can refute it. He can kind of hide behind Well,
it's anonymous, so you can't really trust it. But then
(04:51):
the subterfuge, the behind the scenes, the Tammany Hall level
kind of seediness, shadiness ordering on kara but certainly not transparent.
I feel like Robert Stack in Unsolved Mysteries update because
I had a text exchange with a woman behind you
better Denver in that handle doing such good for our community,
(05:12):
for the city of Denver, shining a spotlight. Sunlight the
best disinfectant on what's going wrong in Denver?
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Do better? She wants it. It's in the handle.
Speaker 6 (05:22):
Do better Denver, not Denver sucks. She wants a better Denver.
Shouldn't Mike Johnston, the mayor, want that too. Shouldn't the
members of his administration want that too? I suspect Denver
Police Chief Ron Thomas wants that too, and all the
rank and file officers hired to serve and protect the
(05:43):
city of Denver want that too. But this is what
I was updated with again, these kind of shadowy figures
behind the scenes. Did you order the code? Read Mayor Johnston,
did you order an investigation? Well, here is what Better Denver?
The woman behind it told me multiple sources. She says,
(06:04):
that's a quote. Multiple sources have informed me her that
the mayor's office asks Denver PD to investigate do Better Denver.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Quote off the books.
Speaker 6 (06:14):
Hmmm, my theory someone tipped off the Denver Police Protective
Association DPPA, prompting them to fire a file a CORA
request with DPD as a warning shot against any illegal
probe into protected speech. CBS reported DPD denied most of
the requests, stating the balance of the interest weighs against
(06:36):
public disclosure. What exactly are they hiding? Veld question? Why
don't you just come forward with all of it?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
But the story didn't include.
Speaker 6 (06:46):
She goes on quote for the twelfth question, DPD flagged
four thousand, three hundred forty six potentially responsive emails with
a retrieval cost of nearly six thousand dollars. That's a
lot of smoke for no fire. Continuing quote from Do
Better Denver. Johnston dodged the question in his CBS interview,
(07:06):
but his spokesperson later said he personally has no knowledge
whatsoever of anything like that. In a follow up after
the story aired, the office clarified, quote, we did not
order an investigation and to do better Denver's identity. Police
have an obligation to look into leaked information when it
pertains to active investigations. But no, we did not order
an investigation into do better Denver's identity. Mayor Mike's PR
(07:33):
team excels at wordplay. Maybe they didn't order it, but did.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
They request or ask for one instead?
Speaker 6 (07:39):
Word games, folks, And we continue with our local coverage,
moving down to Douglas County. Your texts on this story
five seven seven, three nine, This is one I just
kind of stumbled upon and reached out to Tom Musten,
our former colleague here at iHeart Denver.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
He is now.
Speaker 6 (07:57):
Serving in the communications director capacity for the DA George
Brockler in the twenty third and this opposed from the
Douglas County Sheriff's Office just today.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Reading straight from it.
Speaker 6 (08:09):
Ranchview Middle School teacher arrested for sexual assault on a child,
Internet exploitation of a child in Stocking on November tenth,
twenty twenty five, Douglas County Sheriff's Office detectives with the
Special Victims Unit arrested twenty eight year old Teresa Whalen
of Centennial on suspicion of sexual assault on a child
by one in a position of trust, Internet exploitation of
(08:30):
a child, and stocking. Whalen has been employed by the
Douglas County School District since July twenty twenty one. She
has been placed on administrative leave. The Douglas County School
District has been notified of the arrest and is cooperating
with the ongoing investigation. Whalen was transported to the Douglas
County Detention Facility, where she is currently being held on
a fifty thousand dollars bond. All charges are merely accusations
(08:53):
and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in
a court of law. Detectives are asking anyone who may
have inform regarding this case, or who believes that they
or someone they know might also be a victim of
Whalen to contact Detective Clay at s Clay at DC
sheriff dot net.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
This is still an active and ongoing investigation.
Speaker 6 (09:14):
No further information will be released at this time, but
for procedural matters in the prosecution of this case. We
turn to the man himself, George Brockler, twenty third District.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Joining us here on Ryan Schuling Live.
Speaker 6 (09:25):
George, I'll start with the broader concept of what we've
been seeing I think as an epidemic nationwide of these
and by and large a large percentage at least the
ones that have been publicized reported on.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
It is a female teacher who is the suspect.
Speaker 6 (09:39):
Now, that might be just a product of the fact
that more teachers as a percentage are females.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
But what do you make of that part of it? George?
In our society today.
Speaker 4 (09:49):
Kit thanks for having me on to talk about this.
I just want to reiterate all of the teachers that
we're going to talk about here, and we're not going
to reference them by name, but just by general facts
are all presumed innocent until and unless they're convicted in
the court of law, and that includes this lady from today.
We currently have you talk about epidemic. Ryan. We currently
have five active prosecutions against teachers for sexual conduct that
(10:14):
took place in.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Their capacity as teachers.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
Five of them, one out of Douglas County High School
one out of Rock Canyon High School, one out of Roxboro,
we have this middle school, and we have stem and
of those five, it's a three two breakdown men and women.
I'm not sure what's going on with the women in
these particular cases. And you know, these sex assaults don't
(10:39):
follow a typical heterosexual pattern either. We have somewhere at
same sex victims that are part of this as well.
The only common denominator is that these are teachers inside
schools who appear to view the students they're supposed to
teach as romantic opportunities and individuals to visit their lust upon.
(11:02):
Other than that, it could be anybody.
Speaker 6 (11:05):
We're also seeing this, George, and you and I have
talked about this as you hail from jeff co and
I've talked at length with Lindsay Datko jeff co kids first,
and really the outbreak. It's insane what's happening there in
jeff Cole. At least we know in Douglas County with
the Sheriff's department there, the detectives that are on the case,
your prosecutor's office that takes these matters extremely seriously. But
(11:29):
I guess I want to try to get in front
of this a little bit because it just seems to
keep happening, and we can go through the legal process
and like you said, those who are accused or presumed
innocent until proven guilty.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
But a backstep for these schools.
Speaker 6 (11:44):
What is going wrong in your mind in the vetting
process for candidates to teach is just a shortage of supply.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
I'm not sure if you're familiar.
Speaker 6 (11:51):
With that end of it, But we just keep seeing
this happen, and it always goes back in my mind,
how do they get hired in the first place.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
I think it's a fair question. I think we have
to acknowledge though there are kajillions of teachers out.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
There, all of whom, at.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
Least most of whom are motivated by the things we
want them to be motivated by, and that is, Hey,
they want to dedicate themselves to trying to make an
educated and better next generation.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
And I believe that.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
I love the teachers that we have out here in
Douglas County public schools. That's why my kids have all
gone to public schools. But there's no doubt in my
mind that, at least trend wise, it seems like we're
seeing an uptick in these things happening. And whether that
uptick is the product of better investigation, better detection, better
reporting by victims in these cases, or the fact that
(12:40):
it's happening more frequently, I'm not sure yet. But the
point for our end is this, when we get these
cases and we think we have a righteous prosecution and
these people get their due process and constitutional rights upheld,
and if and when they get convicted, my argument to
the court every single time on these will be you
must send these people to prison, full stop. The only
(13:02):
message that can go out to the community who puts
these kids in the school and the teachers who are
in there with them, is this is a third rail.
Touch it and you will be shocked to death. And
that's the only way we can move forward on this.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Couldn't agree more.
Speaker 6 (13:17):
George Brockler joining us DA in the twenty third that
includes Douglas County of course in this case that.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
We just mentioned that was announced through.
Speaker 6 (13:24):
A press release today, but again, broader perspective here about
procedure and process, George, I mean, I read this, it's
straight off the pages of Law and Order SVU. But
this is real life and these are real kids that
are being affected, And I just want to dig down
into what serves as a deterrent, meaning there's a digital
footprint for a lot of these things.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
It could be.
Speaker 6 (13:46):
Online interactions, either through some kind of snapchat. We've seen
a lot of these apps that are now being used
through back channels, direct text messages via phone.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
What is that legal.
Speaker 6 (13:57):
Process like in terms of obtaining those types of communications,
because I know there has to be a barrier rights
of privacy, etc. Does it just take these kids coming forward,
because that takes a lot of courage for a kid
that might be scared out of their minds.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
It takes either some detection, it could be a child
coming forward. In some cases it's a nosy parent like
mine were. And I'm encouraging parents to be nosy and
they may see something, they may hear something, they may
go into the child's room when the child isn't there,
and they may discover something that causes them to ask
more questions. Now, those children have no right to privacy
(14:33):
in their cell phone versus the parents.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
They just don't. So a lot of parents will.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Get access to the phone and they'll find in one
particular case, they found that there were ongoing text messages
between the teacher and their child, and they reported that
to law enforcement and kept that thing going. Once law
enforcement becomes aware that it's at least on one end
and they can see that it went to another, that's
enough for them to do things like an issue of
(14:58):
preservation of records REQ us to the carrier Verizon or
att and then to go seek a search warrant for
the phone. We are fortunate that our jurisdiction gets to
use the Rocky Mountain Forensic Computer Lab that is right
nearby here, and it's run by the FBI, but it
has members from law enforcement all over the area and
(15:20):
they do an incredible job of busting into phones and
computers and all sorts of things GPS, whatever, cars to
be able to find all that digital evidence that you referenced.
Speaker 6 (15:31):
George Brockler d in the twenty third joining us on
this very important topic based on a press release ranch
few middle school teacher arrested for sexual assault on a child,
Internet exploitation of a child, and stalking. You can't talk
about the details of this case. We're talking again about
the broader perspective of every step in this process. Preventative measures,
the vetting process, in hiring teachers. It has to be stringent.
(15:53):
Schools need to adhere to that and make it a
tough standard. Then there is the investigative process that George
is outlined with his great detectives there in Doug Coo,
getting these charges, gathering the evidence, having enough for a
charging decision that goes to his office to prosecute.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
So these are the steps up until that point.
Speaker 6 (16:10):
But George, something I've heard you talk about and you
underlined it again today is truth and sentencing, strength and
sentencing that there has to be some kind of hard
time to serve as both a punishment and a deterrent
and a message to others that if you do this
kind of crime, you are going to do hard time.
And I know you've been frustrated recently and you've been
very diplomatic about it. Though, in terms of sentencing guidelines
(16:33):
for crimes along these lines, what can you tell us
about these cases, what those sentencing parameters are, what has
happened in similar cases for you in the past.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
Yeah, but buckle up for this, because you did a
great job of covering. During the legislative session, there was
a bill that was offered that we championed along with
Brandy Bradley and Regina English from The Springs of Democrat.
By the way, that would say, hey, if you rate
a child even once, you should have to go to prison.
Not for eternity, but you should have to go to prison.
Because right now it's a probation eligible charge. You might
(17:06):
think to yourself, well, if it was a teacher though,
that raped a child, that's different. And the answer is
sort of because even though it increases the level of charge,
it is still a probation eligible charge. The only thing
that turns it from probation eligible to mandatory prison is
that it has to be repeated. So when you look
at charges in the future and you see sexual assault
(17:28):
on a child that means nothing to you, that's probation eligible.
You see sexual assault on a child by a person
in a position of trust probation eligible. You see the
words pattern If you see pattern of abuse in there,
that's a mandatory prison charge. And the way these sexual
assault charges stack up is that they're not just a
fixed number. It's not like for burglary you'd say you
(17:49):
have ten to thirty two years, or actually probably four
to twelve years for a regular domes domicile burglary for
sex assault. It's given in terms of eight to twenty
four to life, so you have to serve a number
of years between eight to twenty four. But you're not
guaranteed parole at that point because you have to successfully
(18:10):
complete all of the different sexual assault programming and therapy
and training that goes on in prison before that, so
you could serve up to your natural life in prison
if you're convicted of one of those charges.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
He is the DA.
Speaker 6 (18:23):
In the twenty third George Brockler tell itking to us
about this most recent story and his advice to parents here,
dig through your kids' phones. They do not have a
right to privacy like adults do. Great bit of advice there, George,
Thank you so much for joining us on short notice,
and best of luck with these cases going forward.
Speaker 4 (18:41):
Can I put one more on your radar if you
have five seconds, please do go right right now as
I'm talking to you, and I was listening to this
before I called you, before you called me, and that
was we have a case right now where a woman
named Hannah Gilmore is being sentenced for child abuse resulting
in death. She engaged in some drug parties with buddies
(19:03):
left the drugs.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
On the table.
Speaker 4 (19:04):
Twenty two month old baby gets out eats the Sentinel,
all guys, and she's now facing sixteen to forty eight
years in the Department of Corrections. To stay tuned for
that one. I'm happy to tell you about that when
it's over.
Speaker 6 (19:16):
To follow him for more details. He is active on
social media at George Brockler on X. George, thanks for
all you do and thanks for joining us here today.
Talk to you, Sueman, ge brock your thoughts five seven
seven three nine.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Jimmy Sangenberger joins us.
Speaker 6 (19:31):
Next his latest for the Gazette on a land sale
deal and you know where it's taking place, Jeff, go
back after this. Ryan Dreling Live for Jimmy Sangenberger, and
he often finds himself in the middle, that's right, on
these very peculiar stories, and this is no exception. His
(19:55):
latest for the Gazette in jeffco Taxpayers and community come last.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
It's about a land deal. It's got some numbers in it.
Speaker 6 (20:04):
We're going to try to kind of distill it for
you here on Ryan Schuling Live and Jimmy Sangerberger joins us. Jimmy,
thanks for taking the time as always, brother, good to be.
Speaker 7 (20:13):
With you, and yeah, Jeff Goes. Honestly, this saga that
I've been covering, and this is I don't know how
many columns in for the past couple of years, is
one of the most corrupt school district stories that I
have ever covered. And that's saying something.
Speaker 6 (20:27):
It really is considering the context within which I just
painted this entire thing, Jeff co kids first, my stories
with Lindsay Datko and covering all of that, but this
is your latest what's going on and what is the
corruption that.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
You have found.
Speaker 7 (20:43):
Tomorrow there will be a school board meeting. I think
it's the final board meeting of the current board before
four or three new members join. I could be mistaken.
Maybe there's one more after tomorrow, but the board will
be voting to approve the per or the sale of
(21:05):
an elementary school. They've put a bunch in the closure
and our surplusing is what they call surplusing them, which
is basically the term for we're putting them up for
sale and in this case to the elementary school worth
twelve million dollars according to the county assessor, and the
district is selling it to Lakewood for just four million dollars.
(21:31):
And then Lakewood is flipping the building, which is ten
acres of a seventeen acre property, and for just one
million dollars, selling it to a nonprofit called the Action Center.
But here's one of the things that I found interesting,
because now the purchase contract is available for review because
(21:54):
they have to present all the materials before tomorrow's school
board meeting. And unless I'm mistaken and I talked to
a realtor about this and what it says in the contract,
they have not done an appraisal of this property that
the county assessor says could be worth up to twelve
million dollars, and they're selling to the city for four
(22:15):
million dollars. Have not done an appraisal.
Speaker 6 (22:17):
Ryan, Jimmy, you found out all this information. You've called
it out now publicly here in the media, both in
the Gazette, on this radio program, I imagine with other
members of the community. Is there any story coming from
the other side, whether it's jeff Co Schools, whether it's Lakewood,
the flip to a nonprofit. How are they justifying these
(22:39):
actions if at all? Are they just stonewalling and trying
to run out the clock?
Speaker 7 (22:43):
So a lot of it is that trying to run
out the clock and get this done. They want to
have it closed on December. Well, and there's a whole
story about an injunction that was achieved that stopped a
few votes from the city council in Lakewood. Eventually they
won their case and moved forward with these votes. But
(23:06):
that that, I think is less significant for our conversation
now than to the question that you ask, why in
the world would Lakewood, for example, be willing to flip
this property for just a million dollars when it should
be fetching a heck of a lot more. And that
is because it's good for the community, because it's a
(23:28):
homeless and family services nonprofit, the Action Center, and that's
the kind of good work that the city in effect
should be subsidizing. And to me, like, I don't care
how good that nonprofit is or what the intention is.
The taxpayers of Lakewood, and even more, the taxpayers of
(23:49):
Jefferson County deserve more, especially when get this, Jefco has
a sixty or sixty five million dollar structural death and.
Speaker 8 (24:01):
Here they are offloading twelve a property that could fetch
twelve million dollars for four million dollars. The taxpayers are
getting screwed, which is exactly why the headline for today's
columns says, in Jeffco Fox, payers and community come last,
because one final thing.
Speaker 7 (24:17):
Real quick, Ryan Jeffco. To make this happen, they created
in the beginning of last year a process called the
municipal interest process. And basically this means if a municipality
or the county for unincorporated land, it's the county or
the municipality, a city like Lakewood says we're interested in
(24:38):
this property, they go through this process which says, if
you're a charter school, we're not going to consider anything
from you. If you're a private developer, we're not going
to consider anything from you. Everybody but that city or
the county is cut out from the process and they're
the only ones that Jeffco Schools negotiates with. And that
is astonished.
Speaker 6 (24:58):
Well, this goes right back to the market at Thatcher theory.
I know you're an admirer of hers as well as
I am. But the problem with socialism is that eventually
you run out of other people's money. But the other
part of that, Jimmy, is it's so much easier to
spend other people's money. To waste other people's money, We'll
just jack up taxes in another area.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
This deficit.
Speaker 6 (25:16):
You talk about getting the most possible for this Emery
Elementary School to think about profit margins and closing the gap,
and that deficit not even on their radar because it's
not their money.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
If you just think.
Speaker 6 (25:26):
About it in terms of your own personal budget, Jimmy,
you or me, or anybody in the listening audience out there,
you're gonna be a lot more careful with money that
you make, that you earned, that you're responsible for that
if somebody was just sending you money like, well, I
guess I'll just figure out a way to spend it.
Speaker 7 (25:42):
Exactly, So, you have a sixty million dollar deficit and
you're trying to find corners to cut all kinds of
things to reduce. But here's the thing. Money for capital
projects that is for building maintenance or for purchasing or
building new buildings has to come from bonds. So when
they come to you and they say, hey, we want
(26:03):
you to pass a bond to build new schools, that's
how they get that money. Except there's one exception if
they need some cash for maintenance on buildings. Then what
do they do? What can they do? They can dip
into the general fund, which is the regular tax money
that funds classrooms and so forth, and say we're going
(26:24):
to move a little bit of money to maintenance for buildings.
So by taking a twelve million dollar building and selling
it for four million dollars basically you know, seven eight
million dollars short on that that's a haircut for taxpayers
that they instead of using that money to do maintenance
on buildings, they may be dipping into the general fund
(26:47):
and pulling money from classrooms because of a deal like
this with Lakewood, And there are other schools that are
going through this shady municipal interest process. This is not
the only one.
Speaker 2 (26:59):
Or the last bad business.
Speaker 6 (27:01):
So I guess final thought here, Jimmy Seckenberger, our guest,
his latest in the gazette in Jeffco. Taxpayers and community
come last, And that's exactly right. Any chance of a
surprise in the school board vote for Jeffco tomorrow, Jimmy,
or is this pretty much going to be rubber stamped?
Speaker 7 (27:17):
I think it's pretty much rubber stamps. They've given this
latitude to their staff to create the deal They've got
Lakewood so invested they want in court with Lakewood. I
don't see a high likelihood of anything stopping this. The
question is how many other schools are they trying to
do this with? And I'm digging into that, and and
(27:41):
the taxpayers of Jeffco stop which I would say if
anybody in jeff Co's listening, attend the school board meeting tomorrow.
I'm not sure off hand what time it is, but
attend the meeting I think it should be in the
evening and participate in public comment and say what in
the world are you doing giving a special track or
Lakewood and other cities or the county for buildings, like
(28:04):
why is this happening? And you're short changing taxpayers in
the process.
Speaker 6 (28:09):
You can follow him at Saying Center SCNNG Center for
the very latest and again the top ed in the
gazette and Jeffco. Taxpayers and community come last. But in
Jimmy's world as a musician, the community comes first. And
you've got another big event coming up here, Jimmy, this
looks like a fun one.
Speaker 7 (28:27):
Yeah. Speaking of jeff Co, the Junior Blues Band is
performing in Evergreen Nice at Cactus Jacks we'll be debuting
there for the first time. I'm really excited. It's a great,
great venue and that'll be at eight pm. So Cactus
Jacks eight pm Saturday night. Come on now, we've got
a great keyboard player, Greg Rice joining us, yours truly
(28:48):
on harmonica doing some vocals. My guitarist Steve Gonzalez, drummer
Mike Rossi, bass player Ken Cornell. Just the top of
the line band. We'll be doing some great music coming
up on Saturday night, Cactus Jackson.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
Evergreen Brother It's a lot of fun. I've seen them
play live and they.
Speaker 6 (29:05):
Go full throttle, pedal to the metal. I'm talking for
four hours on site. These guys are incredible. Find out
more online Jimmy Junior music dot com.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
Yes, it's just that simple.
Speaker 6 (29:16):
Saturday, Evergreen Cactus jack starting at eight pm. Jimmy, thanks
as always for your time, best of luck with a gig.
Speaker 7 (29:23):
Thanks brother, talk to you later.
Speaker 6 (29:25):
All right, A time out back wrapping up with your
tax at five seven, seven, three nine, including this one.
Because I don't get where this call out is coming from,
at least not for me. I can only speak for
me Ryan, good afternoon. I hope you and Dan have
the courage to talk about Trump and the Epstein files.
The truth is coming out, and you guys have the
chance now to say I was wrong and Trump's a
pervert and a child rapist.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
You're wrong, and.
Speaker 6 (29:47):
I'm gonna tell you why when we come back wrapping
up Ryan Shuling live.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
But you have to wait after these words.
Speaker 9 (29:57):
This administration has done more with respect to transparency when
it comes to Jeffrey Epstein than any administration ever. In fact,
this administration, the Department of Justice has turned over tens
of thousands of documents to the American people. We are
cooperating and showing support for the House Oversight Committee. That's
part of the reason you are seeing these documents that
(30:19):
were released today because of the House Oversite Committees and
Republicans' efforts to get these out to the public. This
administration also moved the Department of Justice also moved to
unseal grand jury testimony, which we know unfortunately a judge
declined those requests. So this administration has done more.
Speaker 6 (30:36):
Than any You buying that, Yeah, it's a dodge, feels
like a dodge to me, just to release some What
do you hide?
Speaker 2 (30:43):
Why are you hiding them?
Speaker 4 (30:44):
Who?
Speaker 2 (30:44):
Are you protecting that?
Speaker 6 (30:45):
That's the bigger concern I have to the texture's previous
point before the break. If Trump were implicated directly in
these and there is some talk about him being mentioned
in emails between Julaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein brothers and sisters,
don't you think the Biden administers when they had four
years to do so and they were cooking up all
these other excuses to go after.
Speaker 2 (31:04):
Them in the legal realm.
Speaker 6 (31:06):
If they had this right in front of them and
that he was implicated go on to Epstein Island violating
minor girls, why would they not have done that already?
Speaker 2 (31:18):
This got my attention though.
Speaker 9 (31:19):
Why are White House officials then meeting with Representative Boberg
in an effort.
Speaker 6 (31:24):
To try and get her to not sign this petition
calling for the release of files.
Speaker 9 (31:28):
Doesn't it show transparency that members of the Trump administration
are willing to brief members of Congress whenever they please.
Doesn't that show our level of transparency? Doesn't that show
the level of transparency when we are willing to sit
down with members of Congress and address their concerns that
is that's a defining factor of transparency. Having discussions having
(31:49):
discussions with members of Congress about various issues, and I'm
not going to detail conversations that took place in the
situation room, in the press.
Speaker 2 (31:55):
Briefing room, Caroline LOVETTZ had some good days.
Speaker 6 (31:59):
This was not one of them. I don't like that answer.
I don't like the previous answer. Representative Lauren Bobert was
mentioned in that question, and I have reached out to
Representative Bolbert via text to get her response. What I
can say is that she's right where I am and
where most of you are on this.
Speaker 2 (32:15):
And I think the Texter as well.
Speaker 6 (32:17):
Let's sunlight, like the song coming in is the best disinfectant,
The true shell sets you free, let the chips fall
where they may. And why the Trump DOJ is avoiding this,
I can't answer that one.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
Well, maybe I'll have more answers tomorrow. Stay tuned. Victor
Marx Straight Ahead with Dan Kaplis
We spend time responding to constituents with names and addresses
who have questions that they want us to respond.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
To, and we do that.
Speaker 3 (00:06):
The mayor says the account doesn't bother him, but the
Denver Police Union suspected someone in the city was bothered
enough to order an investigation and to do better Denver.
The union filed a public records requests with Denver Police
for documents related to the investigation. DPD denied the request,
saying the balance of the interests weighs against public disclosure.
(00:30):
We asked Johnston whether he ordered an investigation.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
He didn't answer.
Speaker 4 (00:34):
Oh.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
We followed up with his spokesperson, who said he himself
has no knowledge of anything like that.
Speaker 5 (00:41):
I know he is under the impression that if he
finds out who I am, he can slence my account.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
An account the mayor says, is dragging down the city,
and she says is making a difference. She says she
was the first to report that a shelter employee accused
of sexually assaulting a resident had been hired by the
Salvation Army despite a violent criminal record. The city pulled
the Salvation Army's contract. She posted about people breaking into
(01:07):
a low income, Housing Development, and Sun Valley residents thanked her,
saying it resulted in management hiring security, and she showed
us numerous examples of encampments being cleared shortly after she
flagged them for police. She says she's also helped facilitate
family reunifications.
Speaker 5 (01:26):
One of those people told me their family member is
actually they went into rehabbit is six months over.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
That to me is a huge win. What is your
end goal?
Speaker 5 (01:36):
I want to see Denver start enforcing the laws that
we have. I want to see zero tolerance for public
drug useing camping. I want to see a shift from
housing first and harm reduction to programs that demand accountabilities.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
She also wants greater accountability for repeat violent offenders. She
posts booking photos and criminal records of those released on
lower no bond. She says people have threatened her life,
which is why she remains anonymous, even as she calls
herself a citizen journalist. If you're a journalist, why not
put your name and face on the work that you
(02:15):
do and take the heat for it.
Speaker 5 (02:16):
I don't have the institutional backing of someone like CBS,
don't have any legal resources, I don't have any safety protections.
This is not an easy thing to do.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
She says.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
She manages the account while working full time and spends
at least twenty hours a week posting videos and hundreds
of dollars on criminal records.
Speaker 5 (02:36):
I've had people offered by the account. I've had you know,
people try to get.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Promotions run on the account. But I think it's.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
Important that I stay non monetized, because then people know
that I'm doing this for the right reasons. I don't
want the credit for this. I just want to be
able to have a positive impact on the city that
I live in.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
She told me she does regret some of her posts
and vowed to avoid any personal attacks going forward. Whether
you agree or disagree with her approach, she says the
cities isn't working and it's unsustainable, pointing to this year's
two hundred million dollar budget shortfall. Well, she says she's
always loved Denver. She's actually she's considering moving. She says
(03:18):
to the city is so dominated by progressive voices and
ideas that there's little room left for other perspectives. So
a lot of people might say why doesn't she run
for office make some changes herself, and she says she's
considered running for office, but she believes she can affect
more change with Do Better Denver. Thinks of it as
her volunteerism and the city, and she also says she
(03:40):
actually enjoys her paid job.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Sean, thank you for that.
Speaker 6 (03:45):
That's Karen Lee CBS Colorado for the anchor in that exchange.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
With Sean Boyd.
Speaker 6 (03:50):
Remarkable reporting here as usual about a seven minute package here.
Think about that time dedicated and I'm just looking at
this from like a news perspective, having worked in a
television newsroom. Really to dedicate that amount of real estate,
those resources and allow Sean Boyd to just do her
thing and tell this story and do it in a
fair and accurate and detailed and thorough way on behalf
(04:13):
of do Better Denver. But then also bringing in the
mayor Mike Johnston. He was on camera, he was on
the record. Their little little subtle dig here at the beginning.
I want to revisit that real quick.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
We spend time responding to constituents with names and addresses
who have questions that they want us to respond to,
and we do.
Speaker 6 (04:29):
That then, so you know, that's a shot at Do
Better Denver's anonymity and the name not being forthcoming. But
even if she did come out, let's say publicly and said, hey,
I'm running this account. Mayor now what, It's not like
he can refute it. He can kind of hide behind Well,
it's anonymous, so you can't really trust it. But then
(04:51):
the subterfuge, the behind the scenes, the Tammany Hall level
kind of seediness, shadiness ordering on kara but certainly not transparent.
I feel like Robert Stack in Unsolved Mysteries update because
I had a text exchange with a woman behind you
better Denver in that handle doing such good for our community,
(05:12):
for the city of Denver, shining a spotlight. Sunlight the
best disinfectant on what's going wrong in Denver?
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Do better? She wants it. It's in the handle.
Speaker 6 (05:22):
Do better Denver, not Denver sucks. She wants a better Denver.
Shouldn't Mike Johnston, the mayor, want that too. Shouldn't the
members of his administration want that too? I suspect Denver
Police Chief Ron Thomas wants that too, and all the
rank and file officers hired to serve and protect the
(05:43):
city of Denver want that too. But this is what
I was updated with again, these kind of shadowy figures
behind the scenes. Did you order the code? Read Mayor Johnston,
did you order an investigation? Well, here is what Better Denver?
The woman behind it told me multiple sources. She says,
(06:04):
that's a quote. Multiple sources have informed me her that
the mayor's office asks Denver PD to investigate do Better Denver.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Quote off the books.
Speaker 6 (06:14):
Hmmm, my theory someone tipped off the Denver Police Protective
Association DPPA, prompting them to fire a file a CORA
request with DPD as a warning shot against any illegal
probe into protected speech. CBS reported DPD denied most of
the requests, stating the balance of the interest weighs against
(06:36):
public disclosure. What exactly are they hiding? Veld question? Why
don't you just come forward with all of it?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
But the story didn't include.
Speaker 6 (06:46):
She goes on quote for the twelfth question, DPD flagged
four thousand, three hundred forty six potentially responsive emails with
a retrieval cost of nearly six thousand dollars. That's a
lot of smoke for no fire. Continuing quote from Do
Better Denver. Johnston dodged the question in his CBS interview,
(07:06):
but his spokesperson later said he personally has no knowledge
whatsoever of anything like that. In a follow up after
the story aired, the office clarified, quote, we did not
order an investigation and to do better Denver's identity. Police
have an obligation to look into leaked information when it
pertains to active investigations. But no, we did not order
an investigation into do better Denver's identity. Mayor Mike's PR
(07:33):
team excels at wordplay. Maybe they didn't order it, but did.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
They request or ask for one instead?
Speaker 6 (07:39):
Word games, folks, And we continue with our local coverage,
moving down to Douglas County. Your texts on this story
five seven seven, three nine, This is one I just
kind of stumbled upon and reached out to Tom Musten,
our former colleague here at iHeart Denver.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
He is now.
Speaker 6 (07:57):
Serving in the communications director capacity for the DA George
Brockler in the twenty third and this opposed from the
Douglas County Sheriff's Office just today.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Reading straight from it.
Speaker 6 (08:09):
Ranchview Middle School teacher arrested for sexual assault on a child,
Internet exploitation of a child in Stocking on November tenth,
twenty twenty five, Douglas County Sheriff's Office detectives with the
Special Victims Unit arrested twenty eight year old Teresa Whalen
of Centennial on suspicion of sexual assault on a child
by one in a position of trust, Internet exploitation of
(08:30):
a child, and stocking. Whalen has been employed by the
Douglas County School District since July twenty twenty one. She
has been placed on administrative leave. The Douglas County School
District has been notified of the arrest and is cooperating
with the ongoing investigation. Whalen was transported to the Douglas
County Detention Facility, where she is currently being held on
a fifty thousand dollars bond. All charges are merely accusations
(08:53):
and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in
a court of law. Detectives are asking anyone who may
have inform regarding this case, or who believes that they
or someone they know might also be a victim of
Whalen to contact Detective Clay at s Clay at DC
sheriff dot net.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
This is still an active and ongoing investigation.
Speaker 6 (09:14):
No further information will be released at this time, but
for procedural matters in the prosecution of this case. We
turn to the man himself, George Brockler, twenty third District.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Joining us here on Ryan Schuling Live.
Speaker 6 (09:25):
George, I'll start with the broader concept of what we've
been seeing I think as an epidemic nationwide of these
and by and large a large percentage at least the
ones that have been publicized reported on.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
It is a female teacher who is the suspect.
Speaker 6 (09:39):
Now, that might be just a product of the fact
that more teachers as a percentage are females.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
But what do you make of that part of it? George?
In our society today.
Speaker 4 (09:49):
Kit thanks for having me on to talk about this.
I just want to reiterate all of the teachers that
we're going to talk about here, and we're not going
to reference them by name, but just by general facts
are all presumed innocent until and unless they're convicted in
the court of law, and that includes this lady from today.
We currently have you talk about epidemic. Ryan. We currently
have five active prosecutions against teachers for sexual conduct that
(10:14):
took place in.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Their capacity as teachers.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
Five of them, one out of Douglas County High School
one out of Rock Canyon High School, one out of Roxboro,
we have this middle school, and we have stem and
of those five, it's a three two breakdown men and women.
I'm not sure what's going on with the women in
these particular cases. And you know, these sex assaults don't
(10:39):
follow a typical heterosexual pattern either. We have somewhere at
same sex victims that are part of this as well.
The only common denominator is that these are teachers inside
schools who appear to view the students they're supposed to
teach as romantic opportunities and individuals to visit their lust upon.
(11:02):
Other than that, it could be anybody.
Speaker 6 (11:05):
We're also seeing this, George, and you and I have
talked about this as you hail from jeff co and
I've talked at length with Lindsay Datko jeff co kids first,
and really the outbreak. It's insane what's happening there in
jeff Cole. At least we know in Douglas County with
the Sheriff's department there, the detectives that are on the case,
your prosecutor's office that takes these matters extremely seriously. But
(11:29):
I guess I want to try to get in front
of this a little bit because it just seems to
keep happening, and we can go through the legal process
and like you said, those who are accused or presumed
innocent until proven guilty.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
But a backstep for these schools.
Speaker 6 (11:44):
What is going wrong in your mind in the vetting
process for candidates to teach is just a shortage of supply.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
I'm not sure if you're familiar.
Speaker 6 (11:51):
With that end of it, But we just keep seeing
this happen, and it always goes back in my mind,
how do they get hired in the first place.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
I think it's a fair question. I think we have
to acknowledge though there are kajillions of teachers out.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
There, all of whom, at.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
Least most of whom are motivated by the things we
want them to be motivated by, and that is, Hey,
they want to dedicate themselves to trying to make an
educated and better next generation.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
And I believe that.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
I love the teachers that we have out here in
Douglas County public schools. That's why my kids have all
gone to public schools. But there's no doubt in my
mind that, at least trend wise, it seems like we're
seeing an uptick in these things happening. And whether that
uptick is the product of better investigation, better detection, better
reporting by victims in these cases, or the fact that
(12:40):
it's happening more frequently, I'm not sure yet. But the
point for our end is this, when we get these
cases and we think we have a righteous prosecution and
these people get their due process and constitutional rights upheld,
and if and when they get convicted, my argument to
the court every single time on these will be you
must send these people to prison, full stop. The only
(13:02):
message that can go out to the community who puts
these kids in the school and the teachers who are
in there with them, is this is a third rail.
Touch it and you will be shocked to death. And
that's the only way we can move forward on this.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Couldn't agree more.
Speaker 6 (13:17):
George Brockler joining us DA in the twenty third that
includes Douglas County of course in this case that.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
We just mentioned that was announced through.
Speaker 6 (13:24):
A press release today, but again, broader perspective here about
procedure and process, George, I mean, I read this, it's
straight off the pages of Law and Order SVU. But
this is real life and these are real kids that
are being affected, And I just want to dig down
into what serves as a deterrent, meaning there's a digital
footprint for a lot of these things.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
It could be.
Speaker 6 (13:46):
Online interactions, either through some kind of snapchat. We've seen
a lot of these apps that are now being used
through back channels, direct text messages via phone.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
What is that legal.
Speaker 6 (13:57):
Process like in terms of obtaining those types of communications,
because I know there has to be a barrier rights
of privacy, etc. Does it just take these kids coming forward,
because that takes a lot of courage for a kid
that might be scared out of their minds.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
It takes either some detection, it could be a child
coming forward. In some cases it's a nosy parent like
mine were. And I'm encouraging parents to be nosy and
they may see something, they may hear something, they may
go into the child's room when the child isn't there,
and they may discover something that causes them to ask
more questions. Now, those children have no right to privacy
(14:33):
in their cell phone versus the parents.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
They just don't. So a lot of parents will.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Get access to the phone and they'll find in one
particular case, they found that there were ongoing text messages
between the teacher and their child, and they reported that
to law enforcement and kept that thing going. Once law
enforcement becomes aware that it's at least on one end
and they can see that it went to another, that's
enough for them to do things like an issue of
(14:58):
preservation of records REQ us to the carrier Verizon or
att and then to go seek a search warrant for
the phone. We are fortunate that our jurisdiction gets to
use the Rocky Mountain Forensic Computer Lab that is right
nearby here, and it's run by the FBI, but it
has members from law enforcement all over the area and
(15:20):
they do an incredible job of busting into phones and
computers and all sorts of things GPS, whatever, cars to
be able to find all that digital evidence that you referenced.
Speaker 6 (15:31):
George Brockler d in the twenty third joining us on
this very important topic based on a press release ranch
few middle school teacher arrested for sexual assault on a child,
Internet exploitation of a child, and stalking. You can't talk
about the details of this case. We're talking again about
the broader perspective of every step in this process. Preventative measures,
the vetting process, in hiring teachers. It has to be stringent.
(15:53):
Schools need to adhere to that and make it a
tough standard. Then there is the investigative process that George
is outlined with his great detectives there in Doug Coo,
getting these charges, gathering the evidence, having enough for a
charging decision that goes to his office to prosecute.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
So these are the steps up until that point.
Speaker 6 (16:10):
But George, something I've heard you talk about and you
underlined it again today is truth and sentencing, strength and
sentencing that there has to be some kind of hard
time to serve as both a punishment and a deterrent
and a message to others that if you do this
kind of crime, you are going to do hard time.
And I know you've been frustrated recently and you've been
very diplomatic about it. Though, in terms of sentencing guidelines
(16:33):
for crimes along these lines, what can you tell us
about these cases, what those sentencing parameters are, what has
happened in similar cases for you in the past.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
Yeah, but buckle up for this, because you did a
great job of covering. During the legislative session, there was
a bill that was offered that we championed along with
Brandy Bradley and Regina English from The Springs of Democrat.
By the way, that would say, hey, if you rate
a child even once, you should have to go to prison.
Not for eternity, but you should have to go to prison.
Because right now it's a probation eligible charge. You might
(17:06):
think to yourself, well, if it was a teacher though,
that raped a child, that's different. And the answer is
sort of because even though it increases the level of charge,
it is still a probation eligible charge. The only thing
that turns it from probation eligible to mandatory prison is
that it has to be repeated. So when you look
at charges in the future and you see sexual assault
(17:28):
on a child that means nothing to you, that's probation eligible.
You see sexual assault on a child by a person
in a position of trust probation eligible. You see the
words pattern If you see pattern of abuse in there,
that's a mandatory prison charge. And the way these sexual
assault charges stack up is that they're not just a
fixed number. It's not like for burglary you'd say you
(17:49):
have ten to thirty two years, or actually probably four
to twelve years for a regular domes domicile burglary for
sex assault. It's given in terms of eight to twenty
four to life, so you have to serve a number
of years between eight to twenty four. But you're not
guaranteed parole at that point because you have to successfully
(18:10):
complete all of the different sexual assault programming and therapy
and training that goes on in prison before that, so
you could serve up to your natural life in prison
if you're convicted of one of those charges.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
He is the DA.
Speaker 6 (18:23):
In the twenty third George Brockler tell itking to us
about this most recent story and his advice to parents here,
dig through your kids' phones. They do not have a
right to privacy like adults do. Great bit of advice there, George,
Thank you so much for joining us on short notice,
and best of luck with these cases going forward.
Speaker 4 (18:41):
Can I put one more on your radar if you
have five seconds, please do go right right now as
I'm talking to you, and I was listening to this
before I called you, before you called me, and that
was we have a case right now where a woman
named Hannah Gilmore is being sentenced for child abuse resulting
in death. She engaged in some drug parties with buddies
(19:03):
left the drugs.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
On the table.
Speaker 4 (19:04):
Twenty two month old baby gets out eats the Sentinel,
all guys, and she's now facing sixteen to forty eight
years in the Department of Corrections. To stay tuned for
that one. I'm happy to tell you about that when
it's over.
Speaker 6 (19:16):
To follow him for more details. He is active on
social media at George Brockler on X. George, thanks for
all you do and thanks for joining us here today.
Talk to you, Sueman, ge brock your thoughts five seven
seven three nine.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Jimmy Sangenberger joins us.
Speaker 6 (19:31):
Next his latest for the Gazette on a land sale
deal and you know where it's taking place, Jeff, go
back after this. Ryan Dreling Live for Jimmy Sangenberger, and
he often finds himself in the middle, that's right, on
these very peculiar stories, and this is no exception. His
(19:55):
latest for the Gazette in jeffco Taxpayers and community come last.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
It's about a land deal. It's got some numbers in it.
Speaker 6 (20:04):
We're going to try to kind of distill it for
you here on Ryan Schuling Live and Jimmy Sangerberger joins us. Jimmy,
thanks for taking the time as always, brother, good to be.
Speaker 7 (20:13):
With you, and yeah, Jeff Goes. Honestly, this saga that
I've been covering, and this is I don't know how
many columns in for the past couple of years, is
one of the most corrupt school district stories that I
have ever covered. And that's saying something.
Speaker 6 (20:27):
It really is considering the context within which I just
painted this entire thing, Jeff co kids first, my stories
with Lindsay Datko and covering all of that, but this
is your latest what's going on and what is the
corruption that.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
You have found.
Speaker 7 (20:43):
Tomorrow there will be a school board meeting. I think
it's the final board meeting of the current board before
four or three new members join. I could be mistaken.
Maybe there's one more after tomorrow, but the board will
be voting to approve the per or the sale of
(21:05):
an elementary school. They've put a bunch in the closure
and our surplusing is what they call surplusing them, which
is basically the term for we're putting them up for
sale and in this case to the elementary school worth
twelve million dollars according to the county assessor, and the
district is selling it to Lakewood for just four million dollars.
(21:31):
And then Lakewood is flipping the building, which is ten
acres of a seventeen acre property, and for just one
million dollars, selling it to a nonprofit called the Action Center.
But here's one of the things that I found interesting,
because now the purchase contract is available for review because
(21:54):
they have to present all the materials before tomorrow's school
board meeting. And unless I'm mistaken and I talked to
a realtor about this and what it says in the contract,
they have not done an appraisal of this property that
the county assessor says could be worth up to twelve
million dollars, and they're selling to the city for four
(22:15):
million dollars. Have not done an appraisal.
Speaker 6 (22:17):
Ryan, Jimmy, you found out all this information. You've called
it out now publicly here in the media, both in
the Gazette, on this radio program, I imagine with other
members of the community. Is there any story coming from
the other side, whether it's jeff Co Schools, whether it's Lakewood,
the flip to a nonprofit. How are they justifying these
(22:39):
actions if at all? Are they just stonewalling and trying
to run out the clock?
Speaker 7 (22:43):
So a lot of it is that trying to run
out the clock and get this done. They want to
have it closed on December. Well, and there's a whole
story about an injunction that was achieved that stopped a
few votes from the city council in Lakewood. Eventually they
won their case and moved forward with these votes. But
(23:06):
that that, I think is less significant for our conversation
now than to the question that you ask, why in
the world would Lakewood, for example, be willing to flip
this property for just a million dollars when it should
be fetching a heck of a lot more. And that
is because it's good for the community, because it's a
(23:28):
homeless and family services nonprofit, the Action Center, and that's
the kind of good work that the city in effect
should be subsidizing. And to me, like, I don't care
how good that nonprofit is or what the intention is.
The taxpayers of Lakewood, and even more, the taxpayers of
(23:49):
Jefferson County deserve more, especially when get this, Jefco has
a sixty or sixty five million dollar structural death and.
Speaker 8 (24:01):
Here they are offloading twelve a property that could fetch
twelve million dollars for four million dollars. The taxpayers are
getting screwed, which is exactly why the headline for today's
columns says, in Jeffco Fox, payers and community come last,
because one final thing.
Speaker 7 (24:17):
Real quick, Ryan Jeffco. To make this happen, they created
in the beginning of last year a process called the
municipal interest process. And basically this means if a municipality
or the county for unincorporated land, it's the county or
the municipality, a city like Lakewood says we're interested in
(24:38):
this property, they go through this process which says, if
you're a charter school, we're not going to consider anything
from you. If you're a private developer, we're not going
to consider anything from you. Everybody but that city or
the county is cut out from the process and they're
the only ones that Jeffco Schools negotiates with. And that
is astonished.
Speaker 6 (24:58):
Well, this goes right back to the market at Thatcher theory.
I know you're an admirer of hers as well as
I am. But the problem with socialism is that eventually
you run out of other people's money. But the other
part of that, Jimmy, is it's so much easier to
spend other people's money. To waste other people's money, We'll
just jack up taxes in another area.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
This deficit.
Speaker 6 (25:16):
You talk about getting the most possible for this Emery
Elementary School to think about profit margins and closing the gap,
and that deficit not even on their radar because it's
not their money.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
If you just think.
Speaker 6 (25:26):
About it in terms of your own personal budget, Jimmy,
you or me, or anybody in the listening audience out there,
you're gonna be a lot more careful with money that
you make, that you earned, that you're responsible for that
if somebody was just sending you money like, well, I
guess I'll just figure out a way to spend it.
Speaker 7 (25:42):
Exactly, So, you have a sixty million dollar deficit and
you're trying to find corners to cut all kinds of
things to reduce. But here's the thing. Money for capital
projects that is for building maintenance or for purchasing or
building new buildings has to come from bonds. So when
they come to you and they say, hey, we want
(26:03):
you to pass a bond to build new schools, that's
how they get that money. Except there's one exception if
they need some cash for maintenance on buildings. Then what
do they do? What can they do? They can dip
into the general fund, which is the regular tax money
that funds classrooms and so forth, and say we're going
(26:24):
to move a little bit of money to maintenance for buildings.
So by taking a twelve million dollar building and selling
it for four million dollars basically you know, seven eight
million dollars short on that that's a haircut for taxpayers
that they instead of using that money to do maintenance
on buildings, they may be dipping into the general fund
(26:47):
and pulling money from classrooms because of a deal like
this with Lakewood, And there are other schools that are
going through this shady municipal interest process. This is not
the only one.
Speaker 2 (26:59):
Or the last bad business.
Speaker 6 (27:01):
So I guess final thought here, Jimmy Seckenberger, our guest,
his latest in the gazette in Jeffco. Taxpayers and community
come last, And that's exactly right. Any chance of a
surprise in the school board vote for Jeffco tomorrow, Jimmy,
or is this pretty much going to be rubber stamped?
Speaker 7 (27:17):
I think it's pretty much rubber stamps. They've given this
latitude to their staff to create the deal They've got
Lakewood so invested they want in court with Lakewood. I
don't see a high likelihood of anything stopping this. The
question is how many other schools are they trying to
do this with? And I'm digging into that, and and
(27:41):
the taxpayers of Jeffco stop which I would say if
anybody in jeff Co's listening, attend the school board meeting tomorrow.
I'm not sure off hand what time it is, but
attend the meeting I think it should be in the
evening and participate in public comment and say what in
the world are you doing giving a special track or
Lakewood and other cities or the county for buildings, like
(28:04):
why is this happening? And you're short changing taxpayers in
the process.
Speaker 6 (28:09):
You can follow him at Saying Center SCNNG Center for
the very latest and again the top ed in the
gazette and Jeffco. Taxpayers and community come last. But in
Jimmy's world as a musician, the community comes first. And
you've got another big event coming up here, Jimmy, this
looks like a fun one.
Speaker 7 (28:27):
Yeah. Speaking of jeff Co, the Junior Blues Band is
performing in Evergreen Nice at Cactus Jacks we'll be debuting
there for the first time. I'm really excited. It's a great,
great venue and that'll be at eight pm. So Cactus
Jacks eight pm Saturday night. Come on now, we've got
a great keyboard player, Greg Rice joining us, yours truly
(28:48):
on harmonica doing some vocals. My guitarist Steve Gonzalez, drummer
Mike Rossi, bass player Ken Cornell. Just the top of
the line band. We'll be doing some great music coming
up on Saturday night, Cactus Jackson.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
Evergreen Brother It's a lot of fun. I've seen them
play live and they.
Speaker 6 (29:05):
Go full throttle, pedal to the metal. I'm talking for
four hours on site. These guys are incredible. Find out
more online Jimmy Junior music dot com.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
Yes, it's just that simple.
Speaker 6 (29:16):
Saturday, Evergreen Cactus jack starting at eight pm. Jimmy, thanks
as always for your time, best of luck with a gig.
Speaker 7 (29:23):
Thanks brother, talk to you later.
Speaker 6 (29:25):
All right, A time out back wrapping up with your
tax at five seven, seven, three nine, including this one.
Because I don't get where this call out is coming from,
at least not for me. I can only speak for
me Ryan, good afternoon. I hope you and Dan have
the courage to talk about Trump and the Epstein files.
The truth is coming out, and you guys have the
chance now to say I was wrong and Trump's a
pervert and a child rapist.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
You're wrong, and.
Speaker 6 (29:47):
I'm gonna tell you why when we come back wrapping
up Ryan Shuling live.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
But you have to wait after these words.
Speaker 9 (29:57):
This administration has done more with respect to transparency when
it comes to Jeffrey Epstein than any administration ever. In fact,
this administration, the Department of Justice has turned over tens
of thousands of documents to the American people. We are
cooperating and showing support for the House Oversight Committee. That's
part of the reason you are seeing these documents that
(30:19):
were released today because of the House Oversite Committees and
Republicans' efforts to get these out to the public. This
administration also moved the Department of Justice also moved to
unseal grand jury testimony, which we know unfortunately a judge
declined those requests. So this administration has done more.
Speaker 6 (30:36):
Than any You buying that, Yeah, it's a dodge, feels
like a dodge to me, just to release some What
do you hide?
Speaker 2 (30:43):
Why are you hiding them?
Speaker 4 (30:44):
Who?
Speaker 2 (30:44):
Are you protecting that?
Speaker 6 (30:45):
That's the bigger concern I have to the texture's previous
point before the break. If Trump were implicated directly in
these and there is some talk about him being mentioned
in emails between Julaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein brothers and sisters,
don't you think the Biden administers when they had four
years to do so and they were cooking up all
these other excuses to go after.
Speaker 2 (31:04):
Them in the legal realm.
Speaker 6 (31:06):
If they had this right in front of them and
that he was implicated go on to Epstein Island violating
minor girls, why would they not have done that already?
Speaker 2 (31:18):
This got my attention though.
Speaker 9 (31:19):
Why are White House officials then meeting with Representative Boberg
in an effort.
Speaker 6 (31:24):
To try and get her to not sign this petition
calling for the release of files.
Speaker 9 (31:28):
Doesn't it show transparency that members of the Trump administration
are willing to brief members of Congress whenever they please.
Doesn't that show our level of transparency? Doesn't that show
the level of transparency when we are willing to sit
down with members of Congress and address their concerns that
is that's a defining factor of transparency. Having discussions having
(31:49):
discussions with members of Congress about various issues, and I'm
not going to detail conversations that took place in the
situation room, in the press.
Speaker 2 (31:55):
Briefing room, Caroline LOVETTZ had some good days.
Speaker 6 (31:59):
This was not one of them. I don't like that answer.
I don't like the previous answer. Representative Lauren Bobert was
mentioned in that question, and I have reached out to
Representative Bolbert via text to get her response. What I
can say is that she's right where I am and
where most of you are on this.
Speaker 2 (32:15):
And I think the Texter as well.
Speaker 6 (32:17):
Let's sunlight, like the song coming in is the best disinfectant,
The true shell sets you free, let the chips fall
where they may. And why the Trump DOJ is avoiding this,
I can't answer that one.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
Well, maybe I'll have more answers tomorrow. Stay tuned. Victor
Marx Straight Ahead with Dan Kaplis
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.