Top Denver Safety Official Suspended

By Brian Maass

DENVER (CBS4) - The woman who manages the City of Denver's public safety cadet program has been on paid administrative leave for nearly two months with little explanation for what prompted the suspension, CBS4 has learned.

Kim Fresquez was placed on leave July 7, according to the Manager of Safety's office, but a spokesperson, Daelene Mix, declined to provide any information about what led to the extended leave.

The cadet program offers 46 young people the chance to train to be Denver police officers, sheriff deputies or firefighters while they are attending college. They are paid to train for potential careers in public safety.

Mix said the ongoing investigation is not criminal in nature but she declined to release any other details, saying it was a "pending personnel matter."

Fresquez -- who continues to earn her salary of $72,931.47 while on leave -- did not respond to multiple emails from CBS4.

CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass has been with the station more than 30 years uncovering waste, fraud and corruption. Follow him on Twitter @Briancbs4.