If there ever was a time and occasion for an investigative reporter to win a Pulitzer, it’s now. For now is the time to blow the lid off an Arizona county, other than Pinal, rife with political corruption to whit, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and the county’s judiciary. Now that the “kangaroo” judicial board has hanged Andrew Thomas, et al, out to dry, it’s only the beginning of their inquisition of those who have attempted to clean up the politico wrong-doers.
A knowledgeable attorney, such as Thomas, doesn’t indict supervisors and judges for the “fun of it.” He being much more intelligent and savvy than to blow his law degree and career over “trumped-up” accusations towards political associates.
As a matter of record, two out-of-county county attorneys assigned to evaluate the charges laid by Thomas and Aubuchon regarding Supervisor Stapley for “false financial reporting,” (all felonies), did in fact concur that there was probable cause to proceed with the charges. Unfortunately the case had become too damaged to bring it before the courts.
As for Joe Arpaio, people and in particular, politicos, just don’t like having their feet stomped upon, especially with heavy boots.
Sources to accomplish their objective are found not only within Arizona, but also right back to the White House. It can but only benefit certain individuals in this, an election year.
Time after time supervisors have been protected; Wilcox with her property/building dealings, Stapley with his land dealings in Pinal County’s San Tan Heights area. And lest we forget the Brock scandal of which I’m sure Fulton had culpable knowledge. But heaven forbid any of their nonsense should get in the way of their egos and quest for political dominance.
B. Jones
Queen Creek
Dale Whiting posted at 11:47 am on Fri, Apr 27, 2012.
"B"
Your point about corruption may be true. But I'm not especially impressed. Corruption pervades today's society. Name an elected office and I probably can find an instance where in recent years an occupant was corrupted. The question is "Will any journalist risk being tormented as they undertake to expose some sort of corruption?" The higher the stakes at risk, the stronger are the disencentives to risk being the one doing the exposuring. Start with our Justice Court system and work you way up. Don't neglect the executive branch, federal, state or local. And law makers certainly are no exception. All fall short at some time or other. But few make a career of corruption. So there might be the best target!
Cerulean posted at 3:45 pm on Fri, Apr 27, 2012.
B. Jones said, “two out-of-county county attorneys assigned to evaluate the charges laid by Thomas and Aubuchon regarding Supervisor Stapley for “false financial reporting,” (all felonies), did in fact concur that there was probable cause to proceed with the charges. Unfortunately the case had become too damaged to bring it before the courts.”
I agree that there are issues with Supervisor Stapley and maybe even Wilcox ( I am not familiar with Wilcox). However, Andrew Thomas did none of us any favors by using his office to publicly harass and humiliate Don Stapley when he knew that the evidence they had to indict Stapley was so old, it exceeded the statute of time limit. If there was any thread left to follow it was completely destroyed by Andrew Thomas and his grandiose antics.
In my opinion Andrew Thomas has caused more overall damage to the county and the offices he ran, and will continue to cost State tax-payers so much more money than Stapley could ever imagine in his underhanded corrupt dealings.
That is sad. [sad]
truth posted at 4:08 pm on Fri, Apr 27, 2012.
Its very hard for a politicians or elected officials to break the law, first they write the law and then they interpret the law. I know of a county where every judge was arrested for DUI but the other judges dismissed all the charges.
Rich posted at 8:55 pm on Fri, Apr 27, 2012.
B.
Who'd publish it? Freedom of the press depends on owning one. Right or wrong, someone controls it. Buy one and agree, anyone can bust them. Only an independent force can afford it. If you can say so.
Arizona Willie posted at 10:43 pm on Fri, Apr 27, 2012.
There was an article a couple of weeks ago in the Arizona Republic(an ) ... buried way deep in the middle of the paper where very few would see it ... that acknowledged that the cases Thomas brought had been thrown out on " technicalities " and that, in fact, the charges were NEVER TRIED.
The County Supervisors WERE NOT EXONERATED. They were not found innocent or not guilty.
THEY WERE NEVER TRIED.
There is little doubt, in my mind, that they are guilty as charged. Wilcox definitely received a loan from a pro-illegal immigrant group and it was then " forgiven " and she never had to pay it back.
That's Arizona speak for " bribe ".
Only one of a long list of crimes by " The Insiders ".
I doubt the real truth will ever come out in less than 100 years when all the guilty parties no longer have the power to keep it hushed up and won't care anymore.
chatmandu002 posted at 10:42 am on Sat, Apr 28, 2012.
Again we see the justice system used to punish those that want to expose or pursue illegal activity and corruption. Much like the Obama's Department of Injustice, like the Fast and Furious program, Gibson guitar and Sheriff Joe.
Accuracy posted at 8:34 pm on Sat, Apr 28, 2012.
Maricopa County corruption ready to be blown open??
It was Obama's Attorney General, Eric Holder, and the Department of Justice that challenged Arizona on the grounds that its immigration law (S.B. 1070) was a flagrant state overreach. And accused the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office of rampant discrimination against Latinos in its police and jail operations.
Now, it’s Eric Holder that should be charged with contempt of Congress for his responsibility in the gun-walking and the federal government tactics in Operation “Fast & Furious”. A U.S. Border Patrol agent was killed by Mexican drug lords using guns supplied by federal agents. And a growing number of lawmakers in Congress say Holder and other officials in the federal agents have tried to cover up the major gun smuggling investigation.
Rich posted at 9:00 pm on Sat, Apr 28, 2012.
Oh Good Lord, they're corrupt and the more power you cede them to control corruption, the more corrupt they become. The secret might just be to curb their power. Maybe. consider it anyway. Do you really need them to tell you how to treat your dog, what kind of seats you need in your car, and how to act in your bedroom? Do you? Really?
downtownresident posted at 9:04 pm on Sat, Apr 28, 2012.
B,
Shake the tea leaves out of your ears and listen.
Andrew Thomas (a knowledgeable attorney) has admitted he's a criminal. Otherwise he'd be whining about his being picked on by bullies. Joe is just as guilty as his partners in crime.
His outrageous arrogance has cost tax payers millions and millions of dollars.
He's a fat pig and should be put in his own jail.
Retiree2000 posted at 2:01 pm on Sun, Apr 29, 2012.
It always amuses me when the "conspiracy theorists" claim bribery, back room deals, etc. Let's face it, Thomas used his office to carry out a personal vendetta when the supervisors denied his request for more funding. They are responsible to the taxpayers for keeping costs down and doling out funding for county departments. Thomas and Ol' Joe (Never met a cameral I didn't like) Arpaio both abused their offices by spending money for witch hunts. Arpaio has cost us taxpayers in excess of $30 million dollars in lawsuits, phony round-ups and overruns in his budget over the past 20+ years. Keep in mind that under his watch, his detectives failed to investigate over 400 serious felonies against women and children. But, hey, he did get press coverage for arresting misdemeanants (illegals and fellow cops), which is all he's after. To hell with doing quality police work! Both Thomas and Arpaio should have been thrown out on their keesters a long time ago.
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