City drops charges, Bergmann Hotel manager ‘vindicated’

City drops charges, Bergmann Hotel manager ‘vindicated’

Charges have been dismissed against the building manager of the Bergmann Hotel.

Charles Cotten was facing criminal prosecution for allegedly recklessly violating a lawful order by a building official, a Class A misdemeanor. He said the City and Borough of Juneau agreed to drop two misdemeanor cases after he agreed to plead no contest and pay a $300 fine for the initial infraction, unlawful continuance of a fire hazard.

Court documents reveal Cotten’s misdemeanor cases were dismissed on Thursday. Assistant municipal attorney Sherri Layne did not return a call for comment Monday.

Cotten, who was led away in handcuffs after city officials condemned the hotel on March 10, said he feels vindicated, but still feels that he was railroaded by the city and by building owner Kathleen Barrett.

“They’re not going to give me a public apology,” he said, adding that he asked city officials for one and did not receive an answer.

Cotten said he met with Layne and warned her that if she took him to trial, he would “make a circus out of it,” telling her they would not be able to prove he was legally liable for the condition of the building.

According to Cotten, the city prosecutor would not elaborate on why his charges were being dismissed, other than to say blame had been cast in the wrong direction.

“I got thrown to the wolves,” he said, claiming that Kathleen Barrett erroneously named him as the day-to-day operations and management.

“She told them she hired me and that was a lie,” he said. “I never got a check from her. She wrote checks to CPR Services. … I was wronged.” All along, Cotten has said he is not legally responsible because CPR Services is the contracted management for the Bergmann.

Cotten said his legal woes have caused him a tremendous amount of stress and he is not sure how involved he will remain with the future of the Bergmann.

“I’m going to watch and see what happens,” he said. “But I am still involved was far as helping them find contractors to fix things. I refuse to leave them high and dry.”

Cotten initially was charged with a minor offense and a misdemeanor for unlawful continuance of a fire hazard, because the hotel failed to correct a list of fire and life safety code violations despite notices issued Oct. 31, 2016, and on March 1, according to court documents.

On March 10, Cotten was taken into custody for violating his conditions of release on the previous misdemeanor charge; he was also charged with a new count of reckless or intentional violation of a lawful order of the building official.

Clarification: This article states that charges were dismissed against Cotten. The Empire should specify that all criminal charges were dismissed against Cotten. Charges were not dismissed against him for the non-criminal minor offense infraction of unlawful continuance of a fire hazard; he pleaded no contest to that offense and paid a fine.


• Contact reporter Liz Kellar at 523-2246 or liz.kellar@juneauempire.com.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 10

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Students arrive at Thunder Mountain Middle School on the first day of school Thursday, Aug. 15. The school now houses all students in grades 7-8, who were in two middle schools last year, and the students at Thunder Mountain last year when it was a high school have been consolidated into Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Report: 11 high school fights during first quarter of school year, up from 3 each of past two years

Consolidation seen as possible factor; middle school incidents more typical compared to recent years

People gather outside Resurrection Lutheran Church as it hosts its weekly food pantry on Tuesday afternoon. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Resurrection Lutheran Church leadership dispute intensifies with accusations of assault, theft, sabotage

Pastor removed, lawsuit lingers as competing groups try to continue worship services, food pantry.

Nick Begich, center, the Republican candidate for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, talks with supporters during a meet-and-greet Oct. 12 at the Southeast Alaska Real Estate office near the Nugget Mall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Updated vote counts show Begich, repeal of ranked choice voting likely to prevail

Most ballots uncounted on Election Day have now been tallied, with final results due Nov. 20.

Letters of support are posted to the window of the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, following a shooting incident on Monday, Nov. 11 at 5:45 a.m. in Homer. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Man arrested for three shooting incidents at reproductive clinic, recovery organization in Homer

Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic was targeted twice Monday, suspect cites “religious beliefs.”

A sign welcomes visitors to Hoonah on Aug. 7, 2021 just outside the Icy Strait cruise ship port. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
State commission approves new Xunaa Borough government in northern Southeast Alaska

Area would include Hoonah and much of Glacier Bay National Park, exclude three nearby small towns.

Juneau Assembly Member Ella Adkison (center) helps state Sen. Jesse Kiehl load donated groceries into a van on Saturday during a food drive at Super Bear IGA Supermarket hosted by the Juneau Central Labor Council. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nonprofits say need is high as collections for annual Thanksgiving events approach

Food bank, other agencies say number of people seeking help is rising due to cost, other factors.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Nov. 10, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy poses with then-President Donald Trump during a refueling stop by Air Force One at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in February of 2019. (Official White House photo)
Update: Dunleavy and Dahlstrom plan, cancel live Tuesday night announcement as Trump post for governor rumored

Dunleavy being considered for Interior secretary; also backs Trump on eliminating Dept. of Education

Most Read