Shapiro breaks silence on deal

The Denver assistant city attorney who received a $660,000 settlement from the city after being accused of misconduct has spoken publicly for the first time, saying he hopes his fight against City Hall encourages others who are defending themselves against powerful institutions.

“I hope others fighting for right and defending themselves against false accusations can take some encouragement from my experience and these events,” Stuart Shapiro wrote in an e-mailed statement to The Denver Post.

On Monday, Denver officials issued an apology to Shapiro and exonerated him from any wrongdoing in connection with a jail abuse case. The City Council also approved a large portion of the settlement it reached with Shapiro.

Shapiro was suspended with pay for 19 months in 2014 and 2015 after accusations surfaced that he withheld e-mail related to the jail abuse of former Denver inmate Jamal Hunter and pressured Denver Police Department officers investigating the claims.

The city eventually settled with Hunter, and Shapiro was critical of the settlement, which cost the city $3.25 million.

Shapiro returned to work in March. His boss, Scott Martinez, resigned as city attorney in May. As part of his settlement with the city, Shapiro agreed to retire Sept. 1.

Of the $660,000 settlement, $100,000 will go toward settling Shapiro’s legal fees, according to the agreement.

“I profoundly thank my family, friends and legal counsel, without whom I could not have persevered through this two-year ordeal. I give special thanks to my wife, Susan, and my daughter, Elizabeth.

“To be exonerated means so much to me and my family. I represented the people of Denver ethically and loyally as an assistant city attorney in all matters, including the Hunter matter. I am very proud of my work on behalf of the people of Denver . ... ”