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	Deal Could Clear Pastors' Records The Coloradoan December 17, 2007 http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071217/NEWS01/712170326/1002/CUSTOMERSERVICE02 Three Loveland pastors have pleaded guilty to failing to report sexual abuse by a church member in plea agreements that could keep their records clean. James Rice, Thad Gunderson and Eric Mowen received one-year deferred sentences after pleading guilty Nov. 15 in Larimer County Court to misdemeanor charges of failure to report abuse. The convictions will be removed from their records in a year if they stay out of trouble. Fort Collins police had accused Paul John Lavertu of fondling five children during functions at Gateway Baptist Church in Loveland. Police said the pastors knew of the abuse but didn't report it to authorities. Rice, the head pastor, said the pastors were asked to counsel Lavertu a year earlier but did not know what he had done until 2007. When they found out, they told him to turn himself in to police, which he did. Lavertu pleaded guilty in October to attempted sexual assault on a child and unlawful sexual contact. He was sentenced to 35 days in jail and 15 years of probation with sex offender treatment. The pastors also face civil lawsuits for failing to report the abuse. Stock show to find convention mascot The National Western Stock Show is hosting the official mascot contest for the 2008 Democratic National Convention at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 in the National Western Events Center. The contest is open to youths under the age of 18 and their donkeys that are entered in other portions of the National Western Mule & Donkey Show. The winner will serve as the official mascot for the 2008 Democratic National Convention to be held in Denver next August.
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