By Elizabeth Troutman |

Rep. Leezah Sun, D-Phoenix, resigned from the House after the Arizona House Ethics Committee found she violated House Rule 1 by exhibiting a pattern of disorderly behavior.

Sun “engaged in a pattern of inappropriate behavior in her official capacity and under the color of her office as a state representative,” the report says. 

Four fellow Democrats in the Arizona House filed the ethics complaint against her. Chairman of the Ethics Committee Joseph Chaplik, R-Scottsdale, emphasized the role the committee plays in addressing complaints regarding potential violations of House Rules. 

“It is important to clarify that our committee is not intended to emulate a court of law, and our investigation of matters is not conducted as a trial,” he said in a statement. “Rather, the proceedings in which Committee members have engaged in this matter were to receive Representative Sun’s input and gather pertinent facts related to a specific internal House matter—namely, whether Representative Sun engaged in disorderly behavior, contravening House Rule 1.”

Sun was entitled to “judicious consideration” of the allegations brought against her, Chaplik said. 

“I’m proud that the Committee strived at all times to satisfy this constitutional guarantee, conducting two hearings to provide a platform for Representative Sun to present her perspective,” he said. 

“I am appreciative of the witnesses, members, and staff of the Committee for demonstrating and upholding the integrity of the House and ensuring that our proceedings adhered to the highest standards of professionalism and fairness,” the chairman continued. 

Sun tried to use her status as a lawmaker to interfere in a child custody transfer in June, according to the report. Four kids were supposed to go with a parental supervisor for visitation with their dad but wouldn’t get out of the car, so Sun told the supervisor to reschedule and “call it a day.” When the supervisor said she was following court orders, Sun reportedly told her she was “done” and “now you need to move on.”

Additionally, three city of Tolleson employees claimed Sun was aggressive toward them during a meeting in May and wanted to hurt them. She allegedly called the city manager vulgar names. 

During a conference in Tucson, Sun allegedly threatened to throw Tolleson Chief Government Affairs Officer Pilar Sinawi off the hotel balcony in August. Sun later countered that her language was “hyperbolic,” but she admitted that she said if Sinawi were at the conference, she would “b**** slap” her, according to the report.

Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.