Deputy county attorney Trezise formally charged

January court date

Deputy Gunnison county attorney Art Trezise was formally charged in Gunnison County Court this week with four counts related to an accusation that he tipped off a former client last spring about a search warrant.

According to papers filed Monday by district attorney Thom LeDoux, Trezise is looking at three felony counts and one misdemeanor count. The felonies include tampering with a witness or victim and two counts of accessory to a crime. The misdemeanor is first degree official misconduct.
The D.A. is charging that on or about May 9, Trezise attempted to influence a potential witness in a case to testify falsely or withhold testimony in a case. During the same time, he is accused of trying to assist a former client, Kendall Collins, who is facing charges of cultivating marijuana and sexual assault. Trezise is also accused of using his public office to benefit Collins.
Trezise said he plans to fight the accusations. “I intend to fight the charges at trial but beyond that, cannot comment substantively,” he said.
County attorney David Baumgarten said he continues to have confidence in Trezise. “I have had, and continue to have, confidence in Arthur and the manner in which he performs his work for Gunnison County,” he said. “He has not been re-assigned nor placed on a suspension during this process.”
Trezise is scheduled to appear in court January 13.