H. Brent Coles: Difference between revisions

Born in [[Idaho Falls, Idaho|Idaho Falls]], Coles moved to Boise with his family in 1968 and graduated from [[Borah High School]] in 1970. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from [[Brigham Young University]] and ana [[Master of Public Administration]] from [[California State University, Long Beach]].<ref>{{Cite web|lastlast1=Beach|firstfirst1=1250 Bellflower Boulevard Long|last2=California 90840 562.985.4111|date=2018-12-12|title=H. Brent Coles|url=http://www.csulb.edu/alumni/distinguished-alumni/h-brent-coles|access-date=2019-11-12|website=California State University, Long Beach|language=en}}</ref>

In February 2003, Coles resigned after being charged with accepting an illegal trip from [[Blue Cross Blue Shield Association|Blue Cross]] of Idaho to the [[2002 Winter Olympics]] in [[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]].<ref name=boimyrgn>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=38deAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2262%2C3942170 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |agency=Associated Press |last=Gallagher |first=Dan |title=Boise mayor resigns |date=February 15, 2003 |page=1A }}</ref><ref name=nytres>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D02E0D6123AF936A25751C0A9659C8B63 |newspaper=The New York Times |title=Charged with getting free Olympics trip, Boise mayor resigns |date=February 15, 2003 |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref><ref name=latbmrs>{{cite news|url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/2003archives/la-xpm-2003-feb/-15/nation/-na-resign15-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press |title=Boise mayor resigns over ethics charges |date=February 15, 2003 |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref> Prior to his resignation Coles had been the target of a [[recall election]] drive. City council member [[Carolyn Terteling-Payne]] was appointed to serve until the end of 2003.<ref name=bccnim >{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r8MjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=N9EFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6846%2C1115731 |newspaper=Moscow-Pullman Daily News |agency=Associated Press |title=Boise City Council names interim mayor |date=February 19, 2003 |page=2A }}</ref>

Coles was indicted in May 2003 by an [[Ada County, Idaho|Ada County]] [[grand jury]] for five felonies stemming from the incident and related activities.<ref>[http://www.ag.idaho.gov/media/newsReleases/2003/nr_05072003.html Grand Jury Indicts Brent Coles and Gary Lyman] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513201252/http://www.ag.idaho.gov/media/newsReleases/2003/nr_05072003.html |date=2012-05-13 }}, May 7, 2003</ref> In November 2003, Coles pleaded an [[Alford plea]] to a count of presenting a fraudulent account or voucher and a count of misuse of public money by officers. The remaining charges were dropped as part of a [[plea bargain]]. In January 2004 he was sentenced to 180 days in jail and three years' probation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ag.idaho.gov/media/newsReleases/2004/nr_01092004b.html |publisher=State of Idaho |agency=Office of the Attorney General |title=H. Brent Coles Sentenced |date=January 4, 2004 |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref> In August 2011, The state of Idaho levied a [[tax lien]] in the amount of $44,691.31 against Coles and his wife for unpaid individual income taxes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ktvb.com/news/Former-Boise-mayor--wife-face-44K-Idaho-tax-lien--128101168.html |title=Former Boise mayor & wife face $44K Idaho tax lien |publisher=KTVB.com |date=August 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519095747/http://www.ktvb.com/news/Former-Boise-mayor--wife-face-44K-Idaho-tax-lien--128101168.html |archive-date=May 19, 2014 }}</ref>

On September 6, 2019, Coles announced that he would again run for the Boise mayoral seat in the [[2019 Boise mayoral election]]. Coles faced long-time Boise Mayor [[Dave Bieter]], president of the [[Boise City Council]] President [[Lauren McLean]], and several other candidates. Coles came in fourth place out of seven candidates, garnering 7.3% of votes cast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/election-2019-boise-mayor-s-race-heads-runoff-local-results-around-idaho|title=Election 2019: Boise Mayor’sMayor's Race Heads To Runoff, Local Results From Around Idaho|last=Staff|website=www.boisestatepublicradio.org|date=6 November 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-11-07}}</ref> McLean and Bieter advanced to a December 3, 2019 runoff election, with McLean declared the eventual winner.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kivitv.com/news/brent-coles-announces-hes-running-for-mayor|title = Brent Coles announces he's running for mayor, years after scandal that rocked City Hall|date = 6 September 2019}}</ref>