The Colorado Bureau of Investigation will look into allegations that taxpayer money was used to snoop on Jefferson County employees and private citizens.

Jefferson County District Attorney Scott Storey asked CBI to handle the investigation because it involves allegations the money was paid to a private investigator with ties to Commissioner Jim Congrove, who has been accused of ordering the snooping.

"We have a special relationship with the county commission as far as budget and personnel rules," Storey said Friday. "I wanted to avoid any conflict of interest."

Storey said he had received requests by citizens to investigate the matter.

"This really affected the confidence in our county government and I felt it was necessary to look into it," he said. "And I contacted the CBI to start that process."

Congrove said Friday he welcomes the CBI investigation.

"I think it's a great idea," he said. "I welcome whatever the DA wants to do. Scott (Storey) did exactly the right thing to do. Let's get it done."

The controversy started earlier this month, when former Jefferson County Commissioner Dave Auburn accused Congrove of ordering investigations of fellow elected officials, county employees and private citizens.

He alleged that some of the investigations were paid for by taxpayers and conducted by Daril Cinquenta, a longtime friend of Congrove, and a former Denver police officer.

Invoices to the county show that Cinquenta's firm, Professional Investigators Inc. was paid $7,000 for services, including "internal investigations."

Congrove said the allegations made by Auburn were "lies" and that he knew nothing about the investigations.

However, the first invoice Cinquanta sent to the county was signed by Congrove with the notation "OK to pay."

fongt@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5489