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Former Adams County sheriff pleads guilty in fraud case

Rick Reigenborn was sentenced to probation but will have to give up his state peace officer certification and will no longer be eligible to serve in Colorado.

ADAMS COUNTY, Colo — A former Adams County sheriff pleaded guilty Thursday for his role in a scheme to falsify records and claim credit for state-mandated law enforcement training that he did not complete, the Colorado Attorney General's Office announced.

Rick Reigenborn pleaded guilty to one count of felony forgery and two misdemeanor crimes of second-degree forgery and first-degree official misconduct. He was among three sheriff's office employees charged in the scheme.

Reigenborn received a 12-month deferred sentence on the felony forgery charge and a concurrent 12-month probation sentence on the misdemeanor charges. As part of a plea agreement, the former sheriff will relinquish his state peace officer certification and will no longer be eligible to serve as a peace officer in Colorado. He must also write a letter of apology to the men and women of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.

RELATED: Adams County Undersheriff retires amid investigation

“We are committed to ensuring law enforcement integrity and that all law enforcement officers engage in necessary training. Former Sheriff Reigenborn failed to do that, undermined his professional obligations, and broke the law," said Attorney General Phil Weiser, who also serves as chair of Colorado Peace Officers Standards and Training or POST. "We are holding him accountable for these actions and sending a message that we take violations of training requirements very seriously."

Credit: KUSA
Former Adams County Sheriff Rick Reigenborn speaks to 9NEWS in January of 2022.

Colorado peace officers are required to complete a minimum of 24 hours of annual in-service training, including at least 12 hours of perishable skills training in arrest control, driving and firearms. Law enforcement agencies are responsible for submitting truthful and accurate data to POST. A law enforcement agency can lose access to POST grant funds if it is found to be out of compliance with POST training rules due to their officers failing to complete required annual training.

RELATED: Former undersheriff pleads guilty in scheme to falsify records

In January, former Adams County Undersheriff Thomas McLallen pleaded guilty and was sentenced for his role in the fraud. Former Division Chief Michael Bethel also faces charges including felony counts of forgery, attempt to influence a public servant, conspiracy to commit forgery, and conspiracy to attempt to influence a public servant.

He is due in court on June 13.

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