A chief deputy district attorney in El Paso County was cited Christmas night, after police say he threw a glass container at a passing car whose exhaust was “too loud,” causing its back windshield to shatter resulting in more than $2,000 in damage, court records show.
Andrew Vaughan, who was issued a felony summons for criminal mischief, was placed on unpaid leave, pending results of the criminal investigation, Kate Singh, a spokesperson for 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, said Thursday.
Vaughan is one of three chief deputy district attorneys for the office, a prominent role two steps below district attorney.
Police say a 22-year-old man was driving his 2014 Chevrolet Corvette to pick up his girlfriend about 11:15 p.m. Dec. 25 in a residential area in northwestern Colorado Springs when he heard a loud “pop,” a criminal complaint states. When he turned around, he saw Vaughan standing outside his garage, got out of his car and the two began to argue.
Vaughan admitted to throwing an object at the man’s car and breaking his window, according to the complaint. The man recorded his interaction with Vaughan, the complaint states.
Vaughan told police the man had driven twice past his home at a high rate of speed before he threw the container at the car. Vaughan also told police he would write a check to pay for the damage.
The rear window was shattered and the man’s car had minor scratches to the top of the trunk and rear spoiler, the complaint states. Estimates to repair the car, obtained by a Colorado Springs police officer, ranged from $2,084 to $5,114. An estimate to repair just the back window provided by Vaughan’s attorneys ranged from $390 to $615.
An attorney for Vaughan did not immediately return a request for comment Thursday.
The Pueblo District Attorney’s Office will conduct the criminal investigation. Vaughan will remain on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
“Next steps will be determined based on that outcome,” Singh said.