Anonymous benefactor pays Rainbow Family fines

9 News, Colorado/August 3, 2006

Routt County -- An anonymous supporter paid the fines accumulated by members of the Rainbow Family after they met last month near Steamboat Springs.

The approximately 100 people cited for petty offenses also had their court records cleared.

They had failed to appear in court to resolve the citations.

Each person cited was ordered to pay $15 in fines and $25 in court fees but Someone identified as "a local philanthropist" paid the bills, according to the U.S. attorney's office in Denver.

Authorities say more serious offenses, including drug charges and interference with law enforcement officers were not included in the settlement.

The Rainbow Family gathering was in Routt National Forest's Big Red Park in early July. About 15,000 people attended.

However, the group did not have a permit for the event so law enforcement officers handed out more than 500 citations. Most of the citations were for illegal use and occupancy.

An attorney representing the Rainbow Family claimed the fact that the U.S. attorney's office did not want to prosecute these cases showed how frivolous the charges were to begin with.

"That's absolutely false," said Jeff Dorschner with the U.S. attorney's office. "In fact, (it's) the exact opposite."