(The Center Square) – More Republican state officials are calling on Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell to investigate allegations of “money-giving” involving the Hobbs Administration and Sunshine Residential Homes.
Democratic Attorney General Chris Mays has already launched an investigation following a letter from Senate President Pro Tem TJ Shopp after The Arizona Republic reported allegations that the group home company inflated the amount of pay per child after donating about $400,000 to Hobbs' campaign, his inaugural fund and the state Democratic Party. Republican Mitchell said he may also open an investigation after hearing from the inspector general's office.
“As Arizona Treasurer, I am responsible for the oversight, custody and management of Arizona's securities and investments, a responsibility I take seriously. Arizona taxpayers have a right to financial accountability and to know how their money is being spent,” said Republican Treasurer Kimberly Yee. “Providing state funds to political donors is a serious misuse of public funds. 'Pay-to-play' and special favors have no place in state government.”
Yee said Mays falsely claimed he had sole control of any investigation.
“I have requested a separate investigation by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office,” Yee said. “The Maricopa County Attorney's Office has separate jurisdiction over this matter, and the current investigation by the Attorney General's Office raises concerns about possible ethical conflicts of interest in defending state agencies and officials involved in the alleged scheme.”
In response, the attorney general said it was the state's role to investigate the allegations.
“As with any investigation my office conducts, we will follow the facts wherever they lead. 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 hire outside counsel in this matter,” Mays wrote. “Finally, while I always welcome you to express personal concerns to me, the issues that Senator Shope has asked me to investigate have no bearing whatsoever on your statutory obligations. [state law]”
Republican Rep. David Livingston of Peoria went a step further, saying Mayes should recuse herself from the case, saying she has clearly benefited from Arizona Democratic Party financial support before and that Hobbs failed to address complaints from him about using “public resources” before she took office.
“Your conflict of interest and mishandling of my complaint are legitimate reasons for you to resign from your investigation into the bribery scandal, which also stems from Governor Hobbs' unprecedented inauguration fundraising and political contributions to ADP. You have already proven that you will shield both a Democratic Governor and your own party from any liability,” Livingston wrote.
Centre Square Mays reported Monday that he has asked Mitchell not to conduct his own proceedings to avoid a “parallel investigation.” Hobbs declined to answer questions about the allegations during media availability on Tuesday morning, including when The Center Square asked if Mays and Mitchell would both comply with the investigation.
The attorney general's office said in an email to reporters Monday that it would not respond to Livingston's letter.
