Charges formally were filed Wednesday in the case involving the former Florence city manager who is accused of sexual misconduct and stalking.

Michael Patterson, 54, was taken into custody in Denver on Nov. 15 after an arrest warrant was issued by the Florence Police Department on Nov. 3. He bonded out of Fremont County Jail after his advisement on Nov. 24.

He is charged with two counts of stalking – emotional distress, each a Class 5 felony;  sexual contact – no consent, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and providing alcohol to a minor, also a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Former Florence City Manager Mike Patterson makes his first court appearance

Fremont County Magistrate Michael Meyrick set bond at $25,000 cash or surety with conditions that include no contact with named alleged victims, Patteson is not allowed to leave the state, and he must surrender his passport.

After a two-hour executive session Aug. 31, the Florence City Council unanimously voted to terminate Patterson, effective immediately and banned him from being on any city property.

The recent police investigation after Patterson's termination revealed a string of sexual harassment allegations by former city employees and other women who have had interaction with him at Florence City Hall.

According to an affidavit for an arrest warrant penned by Florence Police detective Jeff Worley, he discovered that Patterson's dismissal by the council stemmed from an allegation that he had sent a subordinate city employee a sexually inappropriate text message.

Worley said during the investigation, numerous witnesses – primarily women – were interviewed, many of whom either reported similar experiences of having received inappropriate communications from Patterson or who could corroborate what others reported.

The affidavit states that Patterson frequently made inappropriate comments to women in the office even after city personnel had attended sexual harassment training. He also is accused of providing bottles of wine to a subordinate who was not yet 21.

Many of the women interviewed said they were scared of losing their jobs if they made Patterson angry.

During his investigation, Worley learned that a former employee had successfully sued the city regarding a sexual harassment complaint that involved Patterson.

Patterson is slated to appear for arraignment at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 3.