by Charlotte Burrous
During former Florence City Manager Michael Patterson’s attorney arraignment, Steven Rodemer requested a special prosecutor because of a conflict of interest with the District Attorney’s office.
Because of the request, Deputy District Attorney Stacey Turner will look into the recusal issue in which Patterson’s attorney referred. If there are grounds for it, a special prosecutor will be selected to prosecute the case.
According to records, the incident that led up to the warrant stems from an incident that allegedly happened on August 30th. The next day, the Florence City Council held atwo-hour executive session, where the council unanimously voted to terminate Patterson’s contract, effective immediately.
Patterson, 54, was arrested on November 15th at the Denver International Airport after the Florence Police Department issued an arrest warrant on November 3rd. After an advisement hearing on November 24th, he bonded out of Fremont County Jail. He has been charged with two counts of stalking, sexual contact without consent and providing alcohol to a minor.
His next scheduled court appearance will be for a motions hearing at 4 p.m. February 7th.