Criminal investigations into campaign donations for Arizona governor underway

US News

From The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Attorney General Kris Mayes’ office is currently conducting a criminal investigation into donations made by a group home company to Governor Katie Hobbs and the state Democratic Party.

The Arizona Republic reported that Sunshine Residential Homes donated about $400,000 to Hobbs, including to her campaign and inauguration and to the state Democratic Party. But questions arose when the Department of Child Safety increased the daily rate per child by about 60%, which equates to $149 to $195. This came as other homes’ requests for more money were denied. The company will comply with the investigation, according to the newspaper.

After the story broke, Senate President pro-tempore TJ Shope sent a letter to Mayes and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell stating that the situation could only be described as a pay-to-play scheme involving the company, DCS and Hobbs’ office. He said it could involve violations of multiple laws ranging from bribery, fraud schemes, conflicts of interest to illegal spending of government funds.

In a statement, Shope called the allegations a “sickening misuse of taxpayer funds to further her political career.” ABC15 Arizona reported that the company is already under scrutiny for the death of a 9-year-old boy with diabetes who was in its care.

“To know that the Governor of Arizona and the Arizona Democratic Party are giving preferential treatment to a facility accused of negligence that resulted in the death of a child is irresponsible,” the senator said.

Both Mayes and Mitchell’s offices provided responses Thursday, as Mitchell also received a letter from Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, on the matter. Mitchell said there will be a meeting between her office and the Arizona Auditor General to “serve as a process office” while the Auditor General investigates.

“My deputy is scheduling a meeting between the Auditor General’s staff who will conduct the investigation and designated staff from my office,” Mitchell wrote.

Meanwhile, Nick Klingerman, chief counsel in Mayes’ office’s criminal division, said they were committed to investigating.

“The Criminal Division of the Attorney General’s Office is authorized by law to investigate the allegations and crimes described in your letter. To that end, the Attorney General’s Office will initiate an investigation,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Senate President Warren Petersen said the story raised numerous concerns about Hobbs, a former social worker.

“The citizens of Arizona have a right to know how their elected officials spend their money, and this case is a major red flag about what happens behind closed doors on the ninth floor,” Petersen said in a statement. “With the state in the midst of a budget deficit and now a pay-to-play scheme apparently uncovered, the Legislature has many questions that we will seek answers to from both the Governor’s office and DCS. Our citizens deserve better. Rest assured that we will continue to serve the citizens of Arizona as a check and balance against any abuse of power displayed by our executive branch and the agencies under it.”

The governor’s office expressed confidence that the government would be relieved of its burden.

“Just as with previous investigations brought by radical and partisan lawmakers, the administration is being cleared of wrongdoing,” they said in a statement to The Center Square on Friday afternoon. “Governor Hobbs is a social worker who has championed Arizona’s families and children. It is outrageous to suggest that her administration is not doing the right thing for children in foster care.”