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Denver Fires City Attorney In Hunter Case

DENVER (CBS4) - CBS4 has learned that the Denver city attorney has fired Assistant City Attorney Stuart Shapiro more than a year after he was placed on "investigatory leave" for his conduct in the case of Denver jail inmate Jamal Hunter.

Last year the city agreed to pay Hunter $3.25 million after he was beaten by other inmates while in the city jail in 2011. Hunter said Denver sheriff deputies either looked the other way or encouraged the cell block abuse to take place. Hunter was beaten by other inmates who also scalded him with boiling water.

In July 2014 Denver City Attorney Scott Martinez announced he was placing Shapiro on "investigatory leave" while Shapiro's conduct in the Hunter case was reviewed. Shapiro was accused of sending emails to Denver police investigators encouraging them to pressure witnesses in the Hunter case.

Shapiro remained on leave until last week. Two sources familiar with the case told CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass Shapiro was quietly fired last week.

Reached by phone Monday afternoon, Shapiro's lawyer, Nathan Chambers, declined to confirm or deny the CBS4 report on the Shapiro termination saying he had "no comment."

It's unclear why it took more than a year for the city to decide to terminate Shapiro.

Attempts to reach Martinez by phone and email Monday about the Shapiro firing were unsuccessful. However Shapiro has 15 days from when he was fired to appeal the termination decision.

CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass has been with the station more than 30 years uncovering waste, fraud and corruption. Follow him on Twitter @Briancbs4.

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