by Matthew Holloway | Jun 2, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
In the tumultuous race for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, the incumbent Republican Rachel Mitchell is facing attacks from both sides as fellow Republican Gina Godbehere, a former bureau chief for the MCAO and former prosecutor in Goodyear was first to launch a blistering campaign. However, by comparison the findings of investigative reporters against Godbehere are far more serious than those she’s levied against Mitchell.
The victor in the upcoming July primary will face off against Democrat Tamika Wooten, a judge pro tem, former chief prosecutor in Glendale, and a municipal judge in multiple jurisdictions. But before Wooten has even taken the stage, the GOP primary campaign has already been marked by the weapon of choice for any Attorney’s race: ‘sweetheart’ plea deals. Godbehere fired the first shot, blasting Mitchell for a plea deal with former director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry, Charles Ryan in a radio interview with KFNN’s J.D. Hayworth as reported by the Phoenix New Times on April 9th.
Godbehere prefaced the issue telling Hayworth, “The problem with the county attorney is she’s wedged between a Democratic governor and a Democratic attorney general, and she has liberal staff that are running that office.” She later landed the rhetorical blow, “When you allow sweetheart deals, like in the Ryan case or pointing the gun at police, and you’re not holding offenders accountable, this is the problem we’re having.”
As noted by New Times, Wooten also latched onto the plea deal telling the outlet, “As a prosecutor, justice is supposed to be blind, and (Mitchell’s) not making her decisions that way. I think there was definitely some favoritism based on Ryan’s former position.”
It didn’t take long though for the investigative reporters at the Arizona Daily Independent to uncover a troubling unsolicited plea deal issued by Godbehere during her tenure with the MCAO for 52-year-old Laquanza Young, also known as Quan Chaney before changing his name in 2019. As reported by the Independent, Young (then known as Chaney) was arrested in 2009 for attempting to rob his former employer Cricket Wireless, threatening a pregnant former co-worker at gunpoint while doing so. He had been previously terminated by Cricket on suspicion of theft and for weeks ahead of the robbery reportedly sent threatening emails to his ex-employer.
Young was arrested and was looking at 3 counts of aggravated assault, burglary, and armed robbery charges, class three and two felonies respectively, and had a lengthy criminal record. Depending on mitigating facts he should’ve been looking at up to 30 years in prison. Confusingly, Young even expressed in pretrial statement that he had no interest in a plea deal. That was at least until Godbehere took the case.
According to the Independent, “Godbehere promptly gave Young a five-week continuance for his trial date, and then offered him a plea deal. Instead of felony charges for aggravated assault, burglary, and armed robbery, Godbehere offered Young lesser charges of disorderly conduct with a handgun (a class six felony) and burglary in the first degree with a handgun (a class three felony). Minimum sentencing under the revised charges amounted to three years, or a maximum of eight years. Godbehere personally signed off on the plea deal.”
Young (then Chaney) was sentenced to just 10 months in prison, was out in five, and he only paid $400 in restitution to the pregnant mother he threatened.
Already, this would be egregious. But on March 21, 2024, Young now under his new moniker, drew a firearm on Scottsdale Police officers who had pulled him over during a routine traffic stop. The suspect was driving a vehicle that had been reported stolen at the time of the traffic stop according to AZCentral. Near Scottsdale Road and Cactus Young exited the car rapidly, drew his gun and opened fire on two officers who returned fire and struck him fatally. He was declared dead at the scene.
A man who was only on the street due to an unsolicited plea deal from Godbehere, was killed just weeks ago while he attempted to murder two Police officers in the line of duty.
Without expressing an opinion regarding the plea deal that Mitchell offered Ryan, a charge based on an incident in which no one was harmed being reduced in light of a dedicated civil servant’s years of service doesn’t strain imagination. But an unsolicited, astoundingly light plea bargain, putting a known criminal back on the street who would later die attempting to gun down two police officers is quite another matter.
To quote Godbehere’s own words, “When you allow sweetheart deals (…) and you’re not holding offenders accountable, this is the problem we’re having.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Daniel Stefanski | Jun 2, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona Republicans on a House Oversight Committee have concluded their investigation of Attorney General Kris Mayes’ time in office and have recommended a course of action.
Earlier this week, the Arizona House Ad Hoc Committee on Executive Oversight released its comprehensive investigative report. The report found “that Attorney General Kris Mayes has abused power, neglected legal duties, and committed malfeasance in office.”
The summary of the report, which was transmitted to the Arizona Speaker of the House, recommended that “the House adopt a resolution impeaching Attorney General Mayes,.. scrutinize all appropriations made to the Attorney General’s Office, continue to exercise oversight over Attorney General Mayes’ abuses of office, and consider legislation in the next legislative session to strengthen and clarify Arizona laws aimed at preventing further weaponization of the Attorney General’s Office.”
According to a press release from Arizona House Republicans, the Committee made the following key findings in its 102-page report:
- Attorney General Mayes unjustifiably threatened the Mohave County Board of Supervisors with personal criminal and civil penalties if they voted against her wishes.
- Attorney General Mayes abused the legal system to attack her political opponents.
- Attorney General Mayes abused her power and authority under Arizona’s Consumer Fraud Act by issuing a consumer alert filled with deception, fraud, and misrepresentations about organizations providing health care service to women.
- Attorney General Mayes has misused public resources and town halls to threaten public nuisance lawsuits against farmers and advocate for ballot measures relating to groundwater use.
- Attorney General Mayes refused to defend state laws when challenged in court, including Arizona’s Save Women’s Sports Act.
- Attorney General Mayes hindered the Committee’s work by failing to timely produce records and information and refusing to explain her actions to the Committee.
State Representative Jacqueline Parker, the Chairwoman of the Committee issued a statement following her panel’s completed report, writing, “The people of Arizona deserve better from the state’s chief legal officer. I am deeply frustrated and disappointed by Attorney General Mayes’ lack of cooperation with our requests for more information and records concerning the many allegations that came to the Committee’s attention. I am also disappointed that none of my Democratic colleagues decided to participate whatsoever or learn about the proper role of the Attorney General under our state constitution. Despite the Attorney General’s lack of transparency with the Committee, we have seen and heard enough.”
Parker added, “I hope all House members will thoroughly review the Committee’s report and findings and agree to impeach Attorney General Mayes and consider other measures outlined in our report to prevent future weaponization of the AG’s office.”
Representative Joseph Chaplik, a Republican, agreed with the report, stating, “Kris Mayes is clearly abusing her power. I agree with the conclusions of my fellow caucus members and we should immediately move to impeach Kris Mayes in the Arizona House of Representatives. Her unethical and reckless conduct is a danger to all Arizonans.”
Democrats pushed back against the assertions and recommendations from the report. Governor Katie Hobbs posted, “Extremists in the legislature are playing partisan politics with this sham committee. They need to put an end to the political stunts and do their job.”
State Representative Nancy Gutierrez said, “AG Mayes has integrity and is doing her job. The republicans in the legislature can’t handle it, so they had a sham hearing and will need Dem support to get her out of office.”
Gutierrez also boasted about her lack of attendance for this committee’s “ridiculous” hearings. She accused Republicans of a “typical bait and switch – putting on a show to distract from HCR 2060 and taking away mail in voting.”
Another legislative Democrat, Representative Oscar De Los Santos weighed in on the release of the report, saying, “This kangaroo court’s hack-job report is politics at its worst. Attorney General Mayes has done a stellar job of protecting consumers, fighting for reproductive freedom, and defending our democracy from extremist criminals.”
A spokesperson for Mayes told a local reporter that “the investigative report released today by the sham House ad hoc oversight committee isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. This partisan stunt by far-right members of the Legislature makes a mockery of real legislative oversight.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Jun 1, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A number of Arizona Republicans quickly reacted to the unprecedented verdict out of New York City against former President Donald J. Trump, while Democrats across the state largely retweeted sensational headlines.
The Arizona Senate Republicans Caucus “X” account wrote, “This is a dark day in American history. The justice system has been weaponized by the radical left to take out a political opponent. This is something you’d expect from a communist nation, not the greatest country mankind has ever seen.”
State Representative Joseph Chaplik, a Republican, posted, “Rigged Trial. Compromised Judge. The American people won’t put up with this and will re-elect Trump in a landslide.”
State Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope added, “I’ve never financially contributed to a presidential campaign until today. Arizona will be behind President Donald Trump this November and that’s the verdict that matters!”
Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma, a Republican, commented, “When history is written, this will go down as one of the darkest days in American political history. The political prosecution of a former President for murky charges is a disgrace. Our democracy never contemplated lawfare as a political weapon and we cannot continue down this path.”
State Senator Wendy Rogers said, “Today marks a regrettable event in American history, as Democrats celebrated the conviction of the opposing party’s leader on charges based upon testimony of a disbarred, convicted felon.”
Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo, a Democrat, shared an infographic of jury’s decision for the former president, noting that “Today was a big win for the rule of law, election transparency, and our constitution.”
Many Democrats in the Arizona Legislature did not post their own comments and opinions about the verdict on their “X” accounts, though some of those members reposted news stories about the historic outcome from the Manhattan courtroom.
Both Republicans and Democrats in Arizona are closely watching the aftermath of this verdict with how tight the November General Election figures to be in the Grand Canyon State. Not only are Trump and President Joe Biden competing for the state’s eleven critical Electoral College votes, but Arizona showcases significant contests for the U.S. Senate, several ballot initiatives, and the State Legislature.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Jun 1, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Striking a blow against the blight of homelessness in the state that has reached epidemic proportions in the Arizona Capitol, the Phoenix City Council voted unanimously (8-0) across party lines to ban sleeping, camping, or preparing food outdoors within 500 feet of any school, park, day care center, or homeless shelters in the city. Violation of the new ordinance could result in a Class 3 misdemeanor charge, a fine of $100, and up to 30 days in jail with up to one year unsupervised probation which is a reduction from a Class 1 misdemeanor under a previous city ordinance that applied exclusively to city-owned buildings, parks, and parking lots. Under the law, 12News reported that “camping” is defined as using a property for “sleeping, storage, making fires, cooking activities or setting up tents.”
Republican Councilwoman and Chair of the Public Safety Committee Ann O’Brien explained the ordinance which she proposed in a statement, “It’s so our community members can feel safer going to their parks, and those receiving services have a higher chance of success by not being surrounded by encampments.”
In a post to X, she noted that the new ordinance is a part of her “Homeless Plan put out 11mo ago.” She noted that “To date, over 50% of my ideas are in progress or have been implemented.”
As recently as April, this reporter can provide a first hand account of a large group of homeless people encamped at La Pradera Park on 39th Avenue a few hundred feet from Global Academy of Phoenix Middle School, and Catalina Ventura Elementary School, both in the Alhambra School District. Fox News reported a similar scene at Griffith Elementary School in Pierce Park in Phoenix where two young girls played soccer, flanked on either side by homeless men sleeping on makeshift beds.
O’Brien continued in her statement saying, “This is a tool that helps us sometimes get them into services, right? Community court. Not everybody always says yes to services, but this might help us to hold folks accountable with our laws.”
Phoenix Mayor, Democrat Kate Gallego told 12News that it isn’t safe for individuals to be living in these areas and that Phoenix will continue assisting the homeless with social services. Other members of the city council emphatically stated that the ordinance isn’t intended to criminalize the homeless.
“This is so no child must walk past a line of tents on their way to school or play on a playground with tents pressed up against their school fence. It’s so our community members can feel safer going to our parks and so those who are receiving services have a higher chance of success by not being surrounded by those encampments,” O’Brien added.
Democrat Councilmember Laura Pastor who approved the ordinance expressed her concerns that it would be difficult to enforce, or could set homeless people to cycle through the criminal justice system. “I feel like we’re putting something in the book to put something in the books and there’s no true enforcement and (ability) to place people where they need to be placed,” she told AZCentral.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Daniel Stefanski | May 31, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A high-profile visitor recently made the trek to the southern border in Yuma, Arizona.
Earlier this month, former Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Chad Wolf made a trip to Yuma, Arizona, to check on the status of the southern border under the Biden administration. Wolf served as one of the DHS Secretaries in the Trump administration.
Wolf first visited a local food bank. He noted that “the situation here is getting worse not better, [that] 116 different nationalities [require] numerous food / dietary challenges, [and that] the surge in illegal aliens is severely impacting the food bank’s ability to provide for the people of Yuma.”
He added that a “major concern here is the Biden administration’s push to eliminate the requirement to have an ID or be a resident in order to receive food benefits.”
The former Trump cabinet official stopped by the wall at the international boundary, which was a staple of the previous administration in border states.
When Wolf was at the border, he spotted travel documents from illegal aliens who had recently crossed. One of the papers he located was a boarding pass from an alien who traveled to Cancun two days prior and crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in Yuma on that day. Wolf stated that the “cartel facilitated.”
He also highlighted a group of illegal immigrants who crossed the border at 2:30am the next morning, taking pictures of some of the approximately 60 individuals who were now being processed by the Border Patrol. Wolf asserted that there were “seven different nationalities represented – including Syrians and Chinese.”
The final post from Wolf focused on the construction of the border wall under both the Trump and Biden administrations. Wolf focused on the “remaining steel bollards lying on the ground and unused.” He opined that “the Biden team redesigned new fencing to plug gaps and to say they didn’t build ‘Trump’s’ wall instead of using this infrastructure,” adding that this was a “waste of taxpayer dollars.”
This week, Wolf shared a recap video from Polaris National Security to share highlights and information about his trip to the border.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | May 31, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona legislative Republicans are standing against a proposed accord from the World Health Organization.
Earlier this spring, an Arizona Senate Republican took aim at the WHO’s Pandemic Prevention Preparedness and Response Accord (PPPRA). In a statement for the Arizona Senate Republicans weekly newsletter, Senator Janae Shamp, who read the proclamation in her chamber, said that “The World Health Organization is creating a global pandemic agreement between its 194 member states, including the U.S, that would be detrimental to our health and freedoms. The Pandemic Prevention Preparedness and Response Accord would establish WHO as the governing authority on a wide range of healthcare issues, including vaccinations, abortion, and transgender therapy, all of which are rightly in the province of the American people and their representatives.”
Shamp added, “The PPPRA would also establish WHO as the ‘arbiter of truth’ on all pandemic-related information, thus silencing dissenting voices in direct violation of our First Amendment rights. These are just a couple examples of how the treaty would disturbingly infringe upon our constitutional rights. This week, I read a proclamation stating the Arizona Senate opposes the United States’ participation in this agreement and urges the Biden Administration to withdraw our nation from it.”
The proclamation, entitled “Arizona’s Sovereignty from Participation in the WHO’s Pandemic Prevention Preparedness and Response Accord,” noted that the WHO’s PPPRA would “become binding upon the United States unless the Biden Administration opposes or delays adoption, [and that] there is concern that the U.S.’s participation in the PPPRA will place America’s sovereignty in jeopardy by relinquishing national and state power to an international organization over which this country has little to no control.”
The proclamation was transmitted to President Joe Biden.
Recently, former President Donald J. Trump told attendees of the Libertarian Party National Convention that “drafts of the agreement show that they (the WHO) want to subjugate America to foreign nations, attack free speech, [and] empower the World Health Organization to redistribute American resources.” He promised to “rip them (this WHO agreement and other similar arrangements) up and throw them out on day one of the Trump administration.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
