Gov dangling clemency for imprisoned Trump ally even if she fakes remorse: reporter

Democratic Gov. Jared Polis appears to be dangling clemency for an ally of President Donald Trump's who is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence for election-related crimes.

Polis said on Wednesday that Tina Peters, a convicted felon and former Colorado county clerk, must show "contrition and apologize for her actions" if he is going to commute her sentence, journalist Kyle Clark with 9News reported. That led Clark to question whether Peters could have her sentence commuted if she faked an apology, and it appears that the answer is yes, he said on Thursday.

"Gov. Polis told me that contrition and an apology are a must for Tina Peters to receive clemency," Clark posted on X. "He knows she isn't at all remorseful. What if she was willing to fake it? It appears he'd gladly free her. But based on all I know about Tina Peters, I don't think she'd fake remorse."

During her sentencing, 21st Judicial District Judge Matthew Barrett cited Peters' lack of remorse when he handed down her nine-year sentence. Barrett also called her a "charlatan" and a snake oil salesman who did "immeasurable damage" to the state's election system, Colorado Newsline reported.

Peters' lawyer, Peter Ticktin, told ABC News that he expects a clemency to be handed down any day.

"I don't think it's going to even go into next week," he said.