Arizona Republicans ask Maricopa County District Attorney to investigate Hobbs’ pay-to-play scandal

politics

From Cameron Arcand

A growing number of Republican state officials are calling on Maricopa County District Attorney Rachel Mitchell to investigate the “pay-to-play” allegations against the Hobbs administration and Sunshine Residential Homes.

Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, has already launched an investigation, sparked by a letter from Senate President pro tempore TJ Shope after the case was exposed in The Arizona Republic and allegations that the group home company received better daily wages per child after donating about $400,000 to Hobbs’ campaign, inauguration fund and the state Democratic Party.

Mitchell, a Republican, also said she may launch an investigation after the Auditor General’s office contacts her.

“As Arizona Treasurer, I am responsible for overseeing, safeguarding and managing the securities and investments of the State of Arizona. I take this duty very seriously. Arizona taxpayers need financial accountability and have a right to know how their money is being spent,” said Republican Treasurer Kimberly Yee.

“The provision of state funds to political donors is a serious misuse of public resources. ‘Pay to play’ and special privileges have no place in state government.”

Yee said Mayes falsely claimed she had sole control over all investigations.

“I have requested a separate investigation by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office,” Yee said.

“The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has separate jurisdiction in this matter, and the current investigation by the Attorney General’s Office raises concerns about potential ethical conflicts of interest in representing state agencies and officials involved in the alleged conspiracy.”

The Attorney General responded that it was the state’s job to investigate the allegations.

“As with any other investigation our office conducts, we will follow the facts wherever they lead us. As with everything else we do, we are fully aware of our ethical obligations and have taken appropriate steps to protect the interests of all involved, including directing the Department of Child Services to retain outside counsel in this matter,” Mayes wrote.

“In closing, I would like to note that while you are welcome to share your personal concerns with me at any time, the matters Senator Shope has brought before us for investigation have nothing remotely to do with your legal obligations under (state law).”

Republican Rep. David Livingston of Peoria went even further, demanding that Mayes recuse herself from the case because she had apparently previously benefited from funds from the Arizona Democratic Party and had failed to address a previous complaint he filed regarding Hobbs’ use of “public funds” before he took office.

“Your conflict of interest and mishandling of my complaint warrant your exclusion from the investigation of the pay-to-play scandal, which also stems from Governor Hobbs’ unprecedented inauguration fundraising and political donations to the ADP. You have already proven that you will protect both the Democratic governor and your own party from any liability,” Livingston wrote.

Center Square reported Monday that Mayes asked Mitchell not to conduct his own trial to avoid “parallel investigations.”

Hobbs declined to answer questions about the allegations during a press briefing Tuesday morning, including when asked by The Center Square whether she would cooperate with Mayes and Mitchell if both launched investigations.

In an email to reporters on Monday, the attorney general’s office said it would not respond to Livingston’s letter.