In yet another example of a Democrat pilfering tens of thousands of dollars from the public treasury, a councilwoman in the Colorado City of Fountain has been caught swiping nearly $40,000 in public relief funding, with the massive fraud going all the way back to 2016. She has resigned from the city council as scrutiny grows.
For reference, the City Councilmember caught is Detra Duncan, a Democrat and donor to Democrat Sen. Michael Bennet’s run for governor in Colorado. She was revealed to have stolen a massive $37,000 in public assistance, with the various forms of fraud in which she engaged going all the way back to 2016.
According to court documents that were submitted back in mid-April, one form of fraud in which Duncan allegedly engaged was attempting to alter her paychecks from the City of Fountain to make her income higher. Further, she is alleged to have claimed to be caring for dead relatives so that she could collect SNAP benefits, Medicaid, and other forms of public benefits.
In reality, however, the mother she claimed to be caring for, Earlie Mae Johnson, died in 1998. Similarly, the uncle she claimed to be caring for, Eving Johnson, died in 2019. So, though she claimed to be taking care of them when applying for SNAP and other benefits, they were dead.
That’s not all. In addition to the check fraud and welfare fraud, Duncan allegedly claimed to not be married and claimed to be living with her disabled son in a house that she claimed was owned by her dead mother and dead uncle. In reality, she is married, and the home in which she lived belongs to her and her husband.
All in all, the various forms of fraud in which Duncan allegedly engaged allegedly netted her $37,156.97 in benefits. The Department of Human Services has ordered her to pay back the full amount, and have suspended her from SNAP, Colorado Works, and Medicaid for a year. She is facing a trial, and will enter a plea hearing on October 28.
She also resigned her city position on September 16. Beginning that announcement, she said, “It is with deep reflection and a heavy heart that I submit my resignation as a member of the Fountain City Council, effective September 16, 2025. While I firmly believe in the integrity of my service and my commitment to the residents of Fountain, I also recognize that recent circumstances have cast a shadow over my ability to serve effectively. The people of our community deserve leadership that can govern without distraction or doubt.”
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Continuing, Duncan said, “My decision to step down is not an admission of wrongdoing but rather an acknowledgment that the work of this Council, and the trust of the public, must come before any individual. I care deeply about our city, and I do not wish for ongoing questions surrounding me to diminish the important initiatives we have advanced together.”
Insisting that she did good work, she added, “I am proud of the progress we have made during my tenure, particularly in advocating for affordable housing, supporting of our Military, advocating for clean water, the Fountain Youth Council, legislative issues protecting the citizens of Fountain, water issues and so much more. I have full confidence that this Council will continue to move forward with integrity, vision, and dedication to the people we serve.”
Concluding, she said, “I remain grateful to the residents who placed their trust in me, to my colleagues for their collaboration, and to city staff for their professionalism. Though I am resigning from office, my commitment to Fountain and its future remains steadfast.”
Featured image credit: city of Duncan