CHARGES FILED AGAINST TWO COPS VETERAN GANG OFFICERS ACCUSED OF DESTROYING
EVIDENCE IN 'AT LEAST' 80 CRIMINAL CASES

Prosecutors filed criminal charges Wednesday against two veteran Denver
police officers accused of destroying evidence in dozens of criminal cases.

Officers Kurt Peterson, 37, and Danny Alverson, 49, were both charged with
a misdemeanor, abuse of public records, and a petty offense, second-degree
official misconduct.

"They could still possibly be facing internal charges," said Detective
Virginia Lopez, a department spokeswoman.

Neither officer could be reached for comment Wednesday. Both have been
reassigned to positions in the patrol division.

According to police reports, the two officers made "numerous" arrests and
issued "numerous" citations between September 1998 and May 26 for
possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

But, according to reports, no evidence in any of the cases was logged into
the department's property bureau.

Lynn Kimbrough, spokeswoman for the Denver District Attorney's office, said
the allegations were made in "at least 80 cases" filed by the two officers.

Denver Police Chief Gerry Whitman said once the case works its way through
the court system, internal affairs investigators will finish their inquiry.

Once that's done, a decision will be made about whether the officers
violated department policy and, if so, whether they should be disciplined.

Punishment can range from a verbal admonition to termination.

Peterson and Alverson were partners in the department's gang unit until the
allegations came to light in June.

Peterson joined the department in 1987. Alverson has been a Denver police
officer since 1972.

The two officers were served with summonses Wednesday morning. They are
scheduled to appear in court Aug. 14.

Abuse of a public record carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in jail and
a $5,000 fine. A conviction of second-degree official misconduct could mean
up to six months in jail and a $500 fine.

The allegations came to light after prosecutors in the Denver City
Attorney's office saw what they believed was a pattern in petty drug and
drug paraphernalia cases.

Officials were unable to say Wednesday whether any of the cases were
dismissed for lack of evidence.