Draft:List of Arizona political scandals

This article provides a list of political scandals which occurred in the State of Arizona. It is organized in reverse chronological order from most recent to oldest.

Politician is defined as "a person who is professionally involved in politics", and includes not only those elected to office, their staffs and appointees, but also those who routinely work in politics such as pollsters. Major officials of political parties and their staffs, as well as those elected by their party to be candidates are also included. Local politicians, mayors, sheriffs, and county officials should not be included.

Scandal is defined as "loss of, or damage to, reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety". Breaking the law is always considered a scandal. The finding of a public court is the sole method used to determine a violation of law, but it is not the sole method of determining a scandal. Please note that all people are considered innocent until proven guilty. Allegations of misconduct do not imply guilt nor do admissions of guilt in the absence of a conviction. Investigations that end without a determination do not imply innocence.

Breaches of ethics, unproven crimes or cover-ups may or may not result in inclusion depending on the amount of publicity generated, and the seriousness of the crime, if any. Notoriety and notability are a major determinant of a scandal. Politicians who resign, quit, flee, or commit suicide while being investigated or threatened with investigation may also be included.

Different scandals on different dates may result in multiple listings.

The list does not include crimes that occur outside the politician's tenure (such as before or after his term in office) unless they specifically stem from acts made while in office, such as bribery, and discovered later.

Given the political nature of legislatures where the leading party has determining power, politicians who are Rebuked, Denounced, Censured, Admonished, Condemned, Suspended, Reprimanded, Found in Contempt, Found to have Acted Improperly, or of using Poor Judgment are not included unless the scandal is exceptional or leads to further action such as expulsion, conviction or resignation.

Executive pardons may or may not be mentioned, but do not erase the scandal. The verdict and legal proceedings are not affected by pardons, but may affect the sentence.

State of Arizona

• Liz Harris (Arizona politician) (R) State Representative from Chandler in District 13, invited conspiracy theorists to speak before the Arizona House of Representatives. The witnesses, John Thaler and Jacqueline Breger, made false allegations of public corruption and political incompetence supposedly paid for by drug cartels. She was then accused of having “violated the inherent obligation to protect the integrity of the House,” and was expelled by a vote of 46-13. (2023)

• Tony Navarrete (D) State Senator from the 30th District, was accused of molesting two underage boys. An FBI investigation confirmed the allegations. Navarrete apologized and resigned his position. (2021)

• David Stringer (R) State Representative from Prescott in the 1st District, was the subject of an ethics complaint concerning previous sex crimes in Maryland in the 1980’s when he was found guilty and sentenced to five years probation, and more recent ’racist’ comments. One hour before the Ethics Committee was to release his records, Stringer abruptly resigned his seat. (2019)

• David Cook (Arizona politician) (R) State Representative from District Eight, was arrested for suspicion of DUI. His blood alcohol level was almost twice the states’ minimum. When told he would lose his license, Cook replied, it would be fine because his wife works for the Motor Vehicle Department, adding "I’m fine; don’t worry, you’ll get yours-" He was convicted of DUI, and given one day in jail with five years of sobriety probation, and fines. (2018)

• Don Shooter (R) State Representative from Yuma in the 13th District and member of the Tea Party movement was accused of sexually harassing nine women, including three AZ State Representatives. He was expelled from the State Legislature. (2018)

• Ceci Velasquez (D) State Representative from Litchfield Park in the 29th District, pled guilty to one count of unlawful use of food stamps. She paid restitution, and was sentenced to 12 months of supervised probation and 100 hours of community service. (2016)

• Russell Pearce (R) Vice Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, and moderator of his own radio talk show, made controversial remarks stating, ”You put me in charge of Medicaid, the first thing I’d do is get Norplant, birth-control implants, or tubal ligations. Then we’ll test recipients for drugs and alcohol, and if you want to reproduce or use drugs or alcohol, then get a job.” The result of the remarks prompted him to resign. (2014)

• Ben Arredondo (R/D) State Representative from East Valley in the 17th District, pled guilty to two felony charges of fraud in regards to a real estate development scheme discovered in an FBI sting as well as setting up a phony charitable scholarship fund used mainly for his relatives. He was sentenced to 18 months of house arrest plus three years probation. (2012)

• Daniel Patterson (politician) (D) State Representative from the 29th District, was accused of intimidation of fellow law makers, outbursts of anger, domestic abuse, and offering to trade sex for his vote. The House Ethics Committee recommended he be removed due to a "years-long pattern of inappropriate behavior" and because he "verbally abuses, assaults, and harasses". He resigned before expulsion. (2012)

• Richard Miranda (politician) (D) State Senator from Tolleson in the 13th District, was accused of wire fraud and tax evasion for embezzling $250,000 from a charity he ran. He was found guilty and sentenced to 27 months in prison. (2012)

• Russell Pearce (R) State Senator and Senate President from Mesa in the 18th District was accused of accepting inappropriate gifts which led to a recall election. Running against him were Republican Jerry Lewis (Arizona politician) and Independent Tom Cattey. A group called “Friends of Pearce”, was organized to field Republican Olivia Cortes as a decoy or diversionary candidate, in order to draw votes away from both Lewis and Cattey. Cortez was accused of having no election committee, no volunteers, and was being funded solely by Pearce’s brother Lester, Republican Campaign Managers Chuck Coughlin and Doug Cole. Though Cortes withdrew from the race, Russell lost anyway. (2011)

• Scott Bundgaard (R) State Senator and Senate Majority Leader from Peoria in the 4th District, assaulted his girlfriend by the side of the road. He pled guilty, attended counseling and paid $1,336 in fines. He was going to be investigated for improper conduct, but before the Ethics Committee could investigate, Bundgaard resigned. (2011)

See also

• Lists of political scandals in the United States by state or territory
• List of American state and local politicians convicted of crimes

References

This page will be placed in the following categories if it is moved to the article namespace.

Categories:

• Lists of political scandals in the United States by state or territory
• Arizona-related lists
• Political history of Arizona