Former Colo. worker says love made her steal $11M

DENVER -- A former Colorado Department of Revenue supervisor said love for her ex-boyfriend led her to steal $11 million in unclaimed tax refunds from the state.

The ex-boyfriend, Hysear Randell, is on trial in Denver this week on charges of theft, forgery, computer crime and racketeering.

On Wednesday, Michelle Cawthra, 32, testified that she deposited unclaimed tax refunds and other money in Randell's bank accounts over two years by forging documents and creating fake businesses. She said she frequently used computer passwords of other workers so she wouldn't be detected.

Randell, who is married, is accused of using the money to pay for delinquent child support, land deals, diamond jewelry, cars and business ventures.

Defense lawyer Scott Reisch said Randell, 42, thought the money was coming from a Cawthra family trust fund. He argued Cawthra tried to use the money to lure Randell away from his wife, Trudy Randell, who is accused of helping create bank accounts for the scheme. She has pleaded guilty to theft but has not yet been sentenced.

Cawthra is serving a 24-year prison term after pleading guilty to racketeering. She testified as part of a plea deal that could help reduce her sentence.