Sheriff Villanueva’s chances for second term dwindle as Luna’s lead holds strong — The Coloradoan
Cottonwood Springs — Sheriff Robert A. Villanueva’s second term in office may not last much longer, and he needs a miracle to win a third term in office, but he could be on his way out of Denver.
Cottonwood Springs’ city council approved a resolution on Tuesday that calls for the immediate resignation of the man who has been sheriff since 2006. Mayor Bill Stewart, who voted in favor of calling for his resignation, said the resolution should be sent to the sheriff for his consideration, although Villanueva has not said if he will resign voluntarily.
“The Sheriff and Sheriff’s Department is currently being investigated by county prosecutors and the State Bureau of Investigation,” said Denver County Sheriff Justin Smith, who has been serving as the interim sheriff since Villanueva was arrested on June 25. “When the investigation is complete, and we have been cleared of any wrongdoing, I plan to ask him to resign.”
Criminal charges against Villanueva that stem from an alleged theft of $100,000 from an office building in Parker are pending. Charges were filed against one of Villanueva’s deputies, and a third deputy has been placed on leave, Smith said.
Villanueva had been seeking treatment for his alcohol addiction, and on Monday was taken by his family for a medical appointment, Smith said. The medical appointment was scheduled after his arrest, he said.
Smith said the sheriff is still “under investigation,” but that he is “not in medical treatment.”
Villanueva’s future in the sheriff’s department was one of the center’s top concerns, which was one of the factors behind the council voting to call on his resignation. The resolution states that the change in leadership is necessary “in order to establish a process” for determining whether his office is making progress
