State Rep. Leslie Herod has been facing public allegations of sexual assault for over a year, but now feels vindicated after a Denver County Court judge ruled that the accuser’s testimony was not credible. The accuser, Sheena Kadi, had requested a protection order against Herod, but the judge denied her request and instead granted a protection order to the state lawmaker.
Judge Clarisse Gonzales found that the evidence presented against Herod was unsubstantiated and declared that the accuser’s testimony was not credible on all the facts asserted. Party chair Shad Murib called on Kadi to resign from her party post in light of the ruling.
Kadi, who is a spokesperson for the Colorado Treasurer’s Office and a member of the Colorado Democratic Party, had made the accusations against Herod public, alleging sexual assault and harassment. However, the judge found inconsistencies in Kadi’s testimony and other evidence that disputed her claims.
Herod has expressed her gratitude for the legal process and is considering filing a defamation lawsuit against Kadi. She also highlighted the importance of allowing certain information in court that would help a person defend themselves against false allegations.
The protection order requires Kadi to make no contact with Herod, refrain from publishing social media posts about the lawmaker, and stay a certain distance away from her. Herod has spoken out against false narratives targeting Black and queer elected officials, emphasizing the impact of such allegations.