“It’s outrageous, physically and emotionally threatening.” These are letters from Lisa Mara’s attorney, Paige Pataky, to county officials, describing their actions to former Cochise County election officials. These are the words I wrote to

Pataky said the letter announcing Mara’s resignation was not a requirement but a courtesy to the county because of the hostile work environment.

Pataky, an attorney at the Phoenix law firm Shields, Petitti & Zoldan, perpetuated a hostile work environment against two Republican county superintendents, Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd, and made Marla a public figure. detailed allegations of defamation on the scene.

Crosby and Judd filed a lawsuit last November to coerce Marla into 100% handcounting in the 2022 midterm elections, which violated Arizona election law.

The letter also states that two Republican overseers proposed taking responsibility from Marra and handing it over to county registrar David Stevens.

The letter sent to the county administration on January 24 also noted the board’s initial refusal to pay Marla’s defense costs related to the Handcount lawsuit.

After much discussion and debate, the Board, at its January 24th regular meeting, approved the payment of $30,715.50 to Marla’s legal representatives. The invoice sent by Pierce Coleman PLLC is dated December 1, 2022.

The board originally proposed a vote on whether to pay Marra’s attorneys’ fees at a special meeting on December 27.

The letter concludes, “Working conditions in Cochise County have become so intolerable and deteriorating that Ms. Marla is forced to resign to protect her health and safety.”

Mara and Cochise County spokeswoman Jane Montgomery declined to comment on the resignation, saying it would violate personnel policy.

AZPM did not respond to repeated requests for comment from Pataky and Cochise County Administrator Richard Karwatzka.