Political Sheet

Criminal Charges for Jaquez Lewis: When Character Leaves the Capitol

Written by Scott K. James

Former state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis faces criminal charges for allegedly steering public funds to a nonprofit she co-founded. Whether red or blue—this isn’t politics. It’s about character, and Colorado’s watching.

Apparently, Colorado’s state capitol has a revolving door—for ethics violations. In a Colorado Politics article published July 18, 2025, reporter Hannah Metzger details how former Democratic state Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis now faces criminal charges for misusing state resources while in office. The allegations? Rerouting state dollars to benefit a nonprofit she co-founded. That’s like starting a lemonade stand with public funds and then acting shocked when someone asks where the damn receipts went. Lewis has claimed it’s all politically motivated—because apparently, accountability is now a partisan plot.

The Bullet Point Brief

  • State Funds, Private Gains: Jaquez Lewis allegedly directed state money toward a nonprofit that she helped create. If that’s not sketchy, then I’m the governor of ethics island.
  • AG’s Not Playing: Attorney General Phil Weiser—also a Democrat—brought the charges, which makes the whole “this is political persecution!” defense about as sturdy as a paper umbrella in a hurricane.
  • From Progressive Star to Legal Flameout: Jaquez Lewis was once a rising lefty with legislative chops. Now she’s a cautionary tale with a court date.
  • Nonprofit? More Like Non-ethical: The org in question, “A Woman’s Place,” allegedly benefited from her political clout. No surprise—when politicians use “nonprofit,” it too often means “untraceable.”
  • “Character Counts” Is Not Just a Slogan: Remember when public service came with public trust? Yeah, me neither. But even in today’s clown show, this level of self-dealing still stinks.

My Bottom Line

This isn’t just about party. This is about character, which both red and blue seem to treat like a clearance rack item. Jaquez Lewis didn’t trip and fall into ethical trouble—she cartwheeled into it with budgetary glitter and nonprofit glitter glue. We’re constantly told to “trust the process,” but when lawmakers run public money like it’s Monopoly cash for their side hustle, the process is broken and insulted. Colorado voters deserve better than partisan sob stories and legal gymnastics. We deserve leaders who treat our money like it matters—and themselves like they’re not above the rules.

About the author

Scott K. James

A 4th generation Northern Colorado native, Scott K. James is a veteran broadcaster, professional communicator, and principled leader. Widely recognized for his thoughtful, common-sense approach to addressing issues that affect families, businesses, and communities, Scott, his wife, Julie, and son, Jack, call Johnstown, Colorado, home. A former mayor of Johnstown, James is a staunch defender of the Constitution and the rule of law, the free market, and the power of the individual. Scott has delighted in a lifetime of public service and continues that service as a Weld County Commissioner representing District 2.