The ex-partner of the former Aurora police chief pleaded not guilty Monday in a criminal case where she is accused of calling in a false child abuse complaint against a city councilwoman after the councilwoman publicly criticized the police chief.
Robin Niceta, 40, who was a romantic partner to former Aurora police Chief Vanessa Wilson, called in the false tip on Jan. 28, according to authorities — a day after Aurora city councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky criticized Wilson during an appearance on a talk radio show, including calling Wilson trash. Wilson was fired from her position in April.
Through her attorney Marci Labranche, Niceta entered a not guilty plea in Arapahoe County District Court on Monday afternoon. A three-day trial is scheduled for May 9.
Niceta was charged in May on suspicion of attempting to influence a public servant, a felony, as well as a misdemeanor count of making a false report about child abuse. Investigators alleged Niceta, who worked for the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services, called an anonymous child abuse hotline and submitted the made-up allegations of child abuse, which prompted an about two-week investigation by authorities into the councilwoman before they determined the tip was false and Jurinsky was cleared of wrongdoing.
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Niceta was later allowed to resign after police tracked the call to her. Jurinksy sued Niceta for libel and slander, and filed a class-action lawsuit against the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services, alleging the agency wrongfully takes children from their parents.
