Snowmass Village council candidate Debbie S. Alcorta was arrested on Friday for the alleged unauthorized use of a financial transaction device. Alcorta, 51, was taken into custody by the Snowmass Police Department at 16 Kearns Road, facing a Class 2 misdemeanor theft charge following a warrant issued by the Pitkin County Court.
After her arrest, Alcorta was released on a $1,500 personal recognizance bond, allowing her to remain free without immediate payment, provided she meets court mandates.
The investigation into Alcorta began when the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) reported to the Snowmass Police on October 17 that Alcorta, a former employee in their housing division, had misused a company purchasing card intended for business expenses. According to an affidavit, unauthorized charges totaling $960.42 were made at several local businesses, including Wildwood Snowmass, Whole Foods, Daly Diner, Zane’s Tavern, The Stew Pot, and Clark’s Market, primarily for food and alcohol purchases.
The affidavit notes that RFTA policy prohibits employees from using the company card for alcohol purchases. When questioned about the unauthorized charges, Alcorta claimed she had lost the card and denied making the purchases. However, video evidence showed Alcorta using the card at the times in question.
In subsequent emails to RFTA, Alcorta suggested that many of the charges occurred while she was out of town and claimed she was in the process of reversing the unauthorized charges. Despite her assertions, police obtained video evidence confirming her use of the card on multiple occasions, along with statements from business owners identifying her as the card user.
On October 25, Snowmass Police Officer Kara Hall filed for an arrest warrant, citing probable cause for Alcorta’s theft and unauthorized use of a financial transaction device between September 10 and September 29. A judge approved the warrant, leading to Alcorta’s arrest.
Snowmass Police Chief Brian Olson emphasized that Alcorta is presumed innocent until proven guilty and that she is entitled to a fair legal process. Alcorta’s arraignment is scheduled for December 3.