Fmr. Elbert County Assessor Blames Menopause For Embezzlement
KIOWA, Colo. (CBS4)- The former Elbert County Assessor who pleaded guilty to stealing from taxpayers, has avoided prison time. Instead, P.J. Trostel will serve 60 days in jail, pay $10,000 fine and more than $8,000 in restitution, and serve three years probation.
Trostel was facing 26 felony counts and two misdemeanor charges for embezzlement, forgery, theft and perjury. Under a plea deal, Trostel pled guilty to two felonies and all 26 other charges were dropped.
"When I was elected the assessor, I never would have imagined I would be standing here," said Trostel. "What I did was intentional."
In court on Thursday, she apologized and her doctor testified that she was suffering from menopause.
"Until recently I had no idea that the medication I was taking to help with my hormone imbalance, menopause, depression and anxiety had so much impact on my ability to reason and be productive," said Trostel "It made all those things so much harder. Looking back I see that now, but at the time I wasn't really tuned into that. I didn't realize that my health was just deteriorating."
Trostel was accused of using her county credit card to buy gift cards and electronics like camcorders and printers that ended up in her home, not in the assessor's office.
Her former employees are surprised at the sentence.
Sylvia Goff and Tim Lewis worked for Trostel, who fired both of them when she learned they were cooperating with the investigation into her criminal behavior.
"My wife and I lost our home. We lost a vehicle. The economy wasn't, was not as such that we could find, you know, just jobs weren't available," said Lewis.
Goff also lost her home. She was fired after confronting Trostel over an expense worth less than $200.
When asked if Trostel ruined her life, Goff replied, "Yes, she sure did."
Goff said the sentence is not appropriate, "I think it's too light. She's an elected official and they should be accountable for their actions."
Prosecutors argued for Trostel to serve nine years in the Dept. of Corrections. That time was decreased from a recommendation of 18 years when most of the charges against her were dropped.
"The court has decided that the sentence in the Dept. of Corrections is not appropriate in this case," said Judge Jeffrey Holmes.
Judge Holmes also ordered Trostel to receive medical attention for any condition she may have.
"The imposition of a jail sentence to teach me a lesson that I've already learned and have been greatly punished for serves no purpose," said Trostel.
Republican voters in Elbert County rejected Trostel's bid for re-election last year, backing her opponent instead.
She is married to Mark Trostel, former chief of the Colorado State Patrol until he retired in 2009.
