On March 11, 2016, the District Court for Grand County sentenced Brigid Irish to six years in prison for her role in embezzling over $300,000 in county funds over a 10 year period. Ms. Irish was immediately remanded into custody to begin her sentence. The court also sentenced her to 32 years of probation, payment of $431,114.47 in restitution, 400 hours of public service, and 90 days in county jail on other felony counts and to 18 months in the county jail for a single misdemeanor count. All sentences are to be served concurrently. The counts and sentencing are summarized below:
Count 1 – Theft of over $20,000 (Class 3 Felony) – 32 years of probation with conditions including completion of 400 hours of public service, 90 days in county jail and payment of restitution.
Count 5 – Attempt to Influence a Public Servant by Deceit (Class 4 Felony) – 6 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections (prison)
Count 18 – Embezzlement of Public Property (Class 5 Felony) — 32 years of probation with conditions including 90 days in county jail and payment of restitution.
Count 19 – Abuse of Public Records – False Entry (Class 1 Misdemeanor) – 18 months in county jail.
All sentences to run concurrently. District Attorney Brett Barkey stated, “I am pleased that Ms. Irish begins to serve her sentence today. This closes a difficult two and a half year period that included a detailed law enforcement investigation, a grand jury investigation and Ms. Irish’s criminal prosecution – in addition to the thorough internal review accomplished by the Grand County government. We can now turn our focus to the challenges presently facing the county.”
