A sheriff's deputy in Colorado has resigned following serious sexual harassment allegations made by two female inmates, though he has publicly denied any wrongdoing, stating emphatically: 'I am not a pervert'.
Allegations of Inappropriate Conduct and a Resignation
Cristian Gondor, 57, stepped down from the Denver Sheriff Department on 19 September. His resignation came after two women held at the jail came forward with allegations in March. According to department spokeswoman Daria Serna, the inmates accused Gondor of offering them benefits in exchange for seeing them nude, inappropriately touching them, watching them shower, and making lewd sexual comments.
Gondor, however, presented a starkly different account to The Denver Post. He claimed the women fabricated the story as retaliation for his enforcement of jail policies. While denying the core harassment claims, he conceded to one misstep. 'I only admitted to having made inappropriate sexual jokes,' Gondor said, adding that he believed 'they accepted' and 'they wanted' the banter. He characterised his error as 'speaking their language'.
Disciplinary Records Reveal Further Details
Specific details of the accusations emerged through the disciplinary records of another deputy, Ahmed Al Obaidi. One inmate alleged that Gondor approached her bunk, 'placed his genitalia on her foot and made a groaning noise', before smiling and winking at her. Deputy Obaidi was himself suspended for six days for failing to report the inmates' allegations immediately after one woman approached him in February to file a grievance.
Obaidi apologised for not following protocol, stating he would do so in future. Both Obaidi and Gondor were hired at the start of 2024. Furthermore, a sergeant reviewing surveillance footage noted Gondor exhibited 'questionable behaviour', including being seen arguing with a woman who had little covering her after he followed her from the shower. Gondor countered that the woman was angry because he instructed her to shower separately from another inmate.
Aftermath and Ongoing Uncertainty
Gondor stated he chose to resign rather than be fired after the allegations were sustained by the department. 'I did nothing from these allegations,' he insisted. The Denver Police Department has declined to confirm whether a criminal investigation is currently underway. As of now, no formal charges have been filed against the former deputy.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about conduct and accountability within correctional facilities, leaving the serious claims from the two inmates officially unresolved in the criminal justice system.
