DA Accused of Exposing Himself to Workers; Sext Message Launched Investigation
A Colorado district attorney is accused of exposing himself to three women in his office and asking for sexual favors.
One of the women told police she complied on 25 to 30 occasions because she feared for her job, according to stories in the Denver Post, the Daily Sentinel and the Montrose Daily Press. The district attorney, Myrl Serra, was formally charged Wednesday with felony unlawful sexual contact, felony criminal extortion and five misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure and unlawful sexual contact.
Documents unsealed in the case yesterday provided details of the accusations that led to the charges.
The investigation began after a male investigator working for Serra reported that he saw the DA send an inappropriate sext message, according to the Denver Post. Since then, investigators have swabbed two desks and carpet in Serra’s office in Montrose, Colo., for semen, and interviewed three women who said the DA threatened their jobs or their reputations when he exposed himself and sought sexual favors. All said that when they asked for time off he would respond, “What will you give me?”
One woman gave investigators a photo she took of marks on her wrists that she said were caused when Serra exposed himself and then tried to force her to touch him.
The Daily Sentinel has more details of her allegations. The woman said that she had asked for time off, and Serra responded by telling her to shut the door. He then asked what she would do to get off early. She suggested doughnuts, but Serra replied he was on a diet. Next she suggested fruit, but Serra said he didn’t like it. When she asked what he wanted, Serra allegedly unzipped his pants, grabbed her hand, forced her to touch him, and said he would do her a favor if she did him a favor.
Serra’s lawyer, Colin Bresee, told the Montrose Press that Serra “vehemently denies all of these accusations.” Bresee said that at first blush, the allegations appear to be a “he said, she said” case.
Prior coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Two Women Had Sought Restraining Orders Against DA Now Banned from His Office”
ABAJournal.com: “Colo. DA Barred from Office After Arrest on Sex, Indecent Exposure Charges”
