COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) -- A state judge has rejected a motion to dismiss charges filed against former El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa that allege he abused his power and retaliated against employees.
The Gazette in Colorado Springs reports Fourth Judicial District Judge Larry E. Schwartz also rejected similar requests by Maketa's co-defendants, former undersheriff Paula Presley and former sheriff's commander Juan San Agustin.
Schwartz's Nov. 25th order said after five days of testimony he did not find any of the charges should be dismissed for lack of probable cause.
Maketa and Presley are accused of coercing a woman to recant her claim that a deputy had punched her in a domestic dispute. Maketa also is charged with threatening to end a $5.2 million contract with the jail health care provider unless the company fired an employee.
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