Tech Manager Indicted For Embezzling Over $124K From Arizona State University

Tech Manager Indicted For Embezzling Over $124K From Arizona State University

By Corinne Murdock |

Arizona State University’s (ASU) former information technology (IT) manager was indicted for embezzling over $124,000 from the institution over the course of over four years.

According to the auditor general, ASU leadership was partially at fault for the embezzlement.

Carlos Urrea, ASU’s former University Technology Officer (UTO) manager, allegedly embezzled the money through unauthorized personal purchases using his ASU purchase card. (The UTO is now the Enterprise Technology Office). ASU reported their findings on Urrea to the auditor general for further investigation.

In a report published last Friday, the auditor general found that Urrea used his purchase card to make over 800 personal purchases amounting to over $124,000. Urrea then attempted to conceal the purchases using over 700 forged receipts and falsified the business purpose descriptions to make them appear as if they were for valid ASU purposes. 

According to the auditor general report, an ASU audit in December 2021 revealed discrepancies between Urrea’s receipts and the issuing bank’s line-item details of the purchases. Urrea reportedly refused to comply repeatedly with further auditory efforts by the university. At the time, ASU found over $95,000 of unauthorized personal purchases made by Urrea. 

Upon further investigation by the auditor general, the amount Urrea allegedly embezzled grew by over $28,000. 

Among those unauthorized purchases were gift cards, including $11,000 in Costco Shop cards; electronics and accessories, including 10 smart watches; household items and furniture, including two Christmas trees; appliances, including a washer and dryer; gaming products, including 12 gaming consoles; fitness and recreation items, including a treadmill and a rowing machine; and warranties.

The auditor general reported that Urrea admitted to using the ASU purchase card for personal purchases. Urrea told the auditor general team that he used ASU’s Adobe Acrobat Editor software to alter his personal purchase receipts in PDF format.

Urrea also reportedly called his actions “very dumb,” and characterized the purchases as his means of providing for his family. 

According to the State Press salary database for ASU, Urrea made $45,000 in 2016, $75,000 in 2017, $77,250 in 2018, $92,700 in 2019, $100,116 in 2020, and $106,000 in 2021. 

According to the auditor general, ASU revealed that its executive administration officials allowed Urrea to bypass appropriate university policies and procedures for purchase cards so that Urrea could either provide immediate IT-related equipment or maintain his support for senior leadership. As a result, Urrea was exempted from engaging in the procurement process, obtaining prior purchase approval, submitting detailed business purpose descriptions for purchases, submitting receipts on time, and bypassing restricted spending protocols when receipts were submitted late. 

“Mr. Urrea was able to make and conceal his personal p-card purchases because management allowed him to: use his p-card instead of procurement process on the pretext of providing immediate support to senior leadership, make p-card purchases without seeking prior approval, submit vague business purposes, [and] submit p-card receipts 2-3 months late without restricting his p-card spending to $1 in accordance with policy,” stated the report. 

The auditor general noted that ASU modified its purchase card policy by requiring executive administration adherence where possible, or requiring the business team — not individuals — to make purchases where not possible. 

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office passed on the auditor general’s findings to the Maricopa County Superior Court Grand Jury. The latter indicted Urrea on 14 felony counts of theft, misuse of public monies, fraudulent schemes, and forgery. 

Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.

Arizona Senate Republicans Release 11 Priorities For Upcoming Legislative Session

Arizona Senate Republicans Release 11 Priorities For Upcoming Legislative Session

By Daniel Stefanski |

With the start of the 2024 Arizona legislative session just weeks away, Republicans took time this week to roll out their agenda for the upcoming months in a divided state government.

The plan, released by the Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus on Thursday, featured eleven categories for 2024 – budget approach, inflation relief, law enforcement & military, education, water, infrastructure, health, government, judiciary, elections, and litigation. The caucus looked back at the year that was in 2023, writing, “Senate Republicans unified in the face of divided government, passed a fiscally conservative and responsible budget historically early in the legislative session, provided inflation relief, funded critical infrastructure projects, protected school choice, and served as a check on executive and federal overreach.”

Senate Republicans also previewed their efforts for the next legislative session in the plan, stating that they would “remain laser focused on easing the burden of rising costs for our citizens, while continuing to stop dangerous California-style policies from being implemented in the Grand Canyon State.” They added that they would “remain unified in protecting freedoms and constitutional rights, advocating for family values and safe communities, promoting free market principles and limited government, and stopping radical ideologies from infiltrating the way of life and opportunities we’ve established over the past decade for all Arizonans.”

‘Unified’ was definitely a key theme Senate Republicans wanted readers to take away from their plan for 2024, as it was central to a successful 2023 despite razor-thin majorities in both legislative chambers and a Democrat in the Governor’s Office. Republicans in both the Arizona House and Senate were highly disciplined on a number of fronts throughout the 2023 legislative session, staying unified on almost every issue while relentlessly fighting for conservative principles. Because of their cohesive strategies, Republicans were able to gain major victories and concessions from Governor Katie Hobbs when it mattered most, as well as to win points with the general public for their work.

2024 promises to be a more challenging year for legislative Republicans. Hobbs will be starting her second year on the job and has a new chief of staff who is respected by many on both sides of the aisle. Hobbs will also be looking for more wins to showcase for her base in what will certainly be a volatile election year on all levels. The governor was soundly criticized by many in her party for, what appeared to be, a capitulation to Republicans over the most-recent budget compromise – especially when it came to Arizona’s historic school choice program. Hobbs spent the rest of the year taking critical and damaging aim at ESAs.

Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope cheered on the plan, saying, “Honored to be a part of the Arizona Senate Republicans family! We will work hard to deliver for the hard working people of Arizona!”

Senator Anthony Kern shared similar sentiments: “Republicans have your back, Arizona, and will ensure State 48 ‘NEVER’ looks like Democrat controlled California!!”

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.

Horne’s Task Force Releases Recommendations To Make Arizona Schools Safer

Horne’s Task Force Releases Recommendations To Make Arizona Schools Safer

By Daniel Stefanski |

Arizona’s schools chief is continuing his quest to make state schools safer.

Last week, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne released a number of recommendations from his administration’s task force meant to strengthen school safety.

Superintendent Horne said, “The safety of our schools is of the utmost importance. There is no greater nightmare than to contemplate a maniac shooting up a school and it’s essential that everything is done to increase campus safety. This committee has done remarkable work and now the task is to get these proposed changes implemented so we can make the state’s school safety program even stronger.”

A handful of the recommendations from the task force involve changing state laws, which the Arizona Legislature would have to approve through legislation and then the governor would have to sign. Those changes are as follows:

  • Removing barriers to allowing retired law enforcement officers to work as School Resource Officers.
  • Allowing for the school safety program to pay for School Safety Officers and school psychologists in addition to the other positions currently included in the program.
  • Adding increased mental health training to focus on adolescent mental health issues, education privacy law and civil rights matters.
  • Adding language to the law requiring attention to school architecture, ingress and egress and safety technology and training.

The task force also recommended steps for the Arizona Department of Education to enact within its statutory responsibilities, including the following:

  • Reviewing and providing additional safety training and materials.
  • Hosting an annual conference for educators, law enforcement and mental health professionals.
  • Pursuing partnerships with entities that can help encourage workforce development in the social work and mental health sectors.

According to Horne’s office, his task force “consists of educators, legislators, representatives of mental health professions, law enforcement, and other community leaders.”

With the next legislative session just weeks away, the recommendations from the school safety task force may come at a perfect time to put the issue in front of lawmakers returning to work in January. Since school safety is a priority of Horne and his administration, he and his team will surely be lobbying for these changes and attempting to work with legislators from both sides of the aisle as they attempt to keep Arizona boys and girls safe at their schools.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.

Arizona’s Democratic State Lawmakers Strategize Gun Control With Vice President Harris

Arizona’s Democratic State Lawmakers Strategize Gun Control With Vice President Harris

By Corinne Murdock |

Three of Arizona’s Democratic state lawmakers convened for a strategy session on gun control with Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday.

State Reps. Jennifer Longdon (D-LD05), Analise Ortiz (D-LD24), and Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (D-LD21) were invited to participate in the Biden administration’s inaugural Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) and Safer States Agenda. The trio declared in a press release that gun violence constituted a public health crisis that required immediate intervention.

“Despite overwhelming public support to act, Republicans in the legislative majority have consistently refused to hear any efforts to reduce gun violence,” said the trio. “Reps. Ortiz, Longdon and Stahl Hamilton said now is the time to redouble efforts to overcome Republican intransigence, not step back from a public health crisis.”

The Safer States Agenda proposed a series of progressive, state-led initiatives: establishing an office of gun violence prevention in every state; investing in community violence intervention programs; funding community policing initiatives; implementing lethal means safety measures such as off-site storage sites and Extreme Risk Protection Orders (also called “red flag laws”); establishing victims services and trauma recovery centers for gun violence survivors; establishing a gun violence crisis response team; implementing stricter firearm storage laws; requiring reporting of lost and stolen firearms; confiscating firearms from domestic abusers; requiring universal and enhanced background checks; banning assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and ghost guns; requiring gun dealer licensing, recordkeeping, information sharing, and physical security; and end gun manufacturer’s immunity from liability.

President Joe Biden established OGVP in September and appointed Harris to oversee it. Ortiz, Longdon, and Stahl Hamilton were three among 100 state lawmakers from across the nation invited to strategize with OGVP.

After Wednesday’s meeting, Harris said that the proposed gun control measures wouldn’t conflict with the Second Amendment. 

“It is a false choice to suggest that we have to choose between either upholding the Second Amendment or passing commonsense gun safety legislation,” said Harris. “Congress must have the courage to act, but until they do, the states must lead the way.”

The Department of Justice also published two model pieces of legislation to require stricter firearms storage and mandatory reporting of lost or stolen firearms.

The director of OGVP, Stefanie Feldman, was Biden’s longtime policy director dating back to the president’s first term as vice president under former President Barack Obama. While Donald Trump was president, Feldman served as the policy director for the Biden Institute.

One of the deputy directors of OGVP, Gregory Jackson, formerly directed the Community Justice Action Fund: a nonprofit focused on gun control and criminal justice reform, and a project of the dark money network offshoot, Tides Advocacy. The other deputy director, Rob Wilcox, formerly led federal policy for Everytown For Gun Safety, the gun control organization founded by major Democratic donor Michael Bloomberg.

Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.

Rep. Lesko Blames ‘Bidenflation’ For Lack Of Christmas Decorations

Rep. Lesko Blames ‘Bidenflation’ For Lack Of Christmas Decorations

By Corinne Murdock |

Rep. Debbie Lesko’s office showed off this year’s Christmas decorations available to them due to “Bidenflation”: a single, plain sign poking fun at historic inflation rates.

“Due to Bidenflation all we could afford was this crummy sign,” read the sign, with a classic depiction of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist begging for more food with an empty bowl of porridge, next to a picture of a Christmas hat-wearing Biden pointing at Twist with the caption “I did that!” 

Lesko explained in a post that “Bidenflation” had a detrimental impact on her office’s tradition of decorating for Christmas.

“It’s a long-standing tradition that the second floor of Longworth is decorated for Christmas,” said Lesko. “My staff and I wanted to participate, but with Bidenflation who can afford it?”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported last month that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of all items increased by 3.2 percent compared to last year, with food at about three percent higher, all other items at four percent higher, and energy down over five percent.

On Tuesday, the BLS confirmed a .1 percent increase in the CPI last month, noting that overall cost of living reflected in the shelter index offset the decline in the energy index. 

The greatest increases occurred in the cost of meals eating out, medical care commodities (drugs, medical equipment, and supplies), and services less energy services including shelter and transportation.

Meals at home increased by 1.7 percent: cereals and bakery products increased by 3.4 percent; meats, poultry, fish, and eggs increased by .1 percent; dairy and related products decreased by 1.4 percent, fruits and vegetables increased by .4 percent, nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials increased by 2.9 percent, and all other foods increased by 3.3 percent.

Eating out increased by 5.3 percent: full service meals and snacks increased by 4.3 percent, and limited services and meals increased by six percent. 

Energy commodities decreased by 9.8 percent: gas decreased by 8.9 percent and fuel oil decreased by 24.8 percent. Energy services decreased by .1 percent: electricity increased by 3.4 percent, while utility gas decreased by 10.4 percent. 

Commodities less food and energy commodities sustained their price levels: new vehicles increased by 1.3 percent, while used cars and trucks decreased by 3.8 percent; apparel increased by 1.1 percent; medical care commodities increased by five percent; alcoholic beverages increased by 2.9 percent; and tobacco and smoking products increased by 7.7 percent.

Services less energy services increased by 5.5 percent. Shelter increased by 6.5 percent, with rent of primary residence increased by 6.9 percent and owners’ equivalent rent of residences increased by 6.7 percent. 

Transportation services increased by 10.1 percent: motor vehicle maintenance and repair increased by 8.5 percent, motor vehicle insurance increased by 19.2 percent, and airline fare decreased by 12.1 percent.

Medical care services decreased by .9 percent, with physicians’ services decreased by .7 percent and hospital services increased by 6.3 percent. 

Under President Joe Biden, the CPI hit a four-decade high last June: a 9.1 percent increase. 

Annual inflation rates under former President Donald Trump averaged out to 1.9 percent: 2.1 percent in 2017, 1.9 percent in 2018, 2.3 percent in 2019, and 1.4 percent in 2020. The average annual inflation rates under Biden — factoring in 2021, 2022, and the latest inflation rate from this year — sits at over 5.5 percent. 

These increases translate to Arizonans having to spend tens of thousands of dollars more for everyday necessities on average.

A study released earlier this year found that the average Arizona household must spend over $13,300 more to maintain the same standard of living they had in January 2021 — the state with the third-highest averages, just after Utah and Colorado. 

The Thanksgiving dinner table may have also looked different this year. This year’s annual American Farm Bureau reported an average cost of $61 for a basic 10-person Thanksgiving dinner, down three dollars from last year but still eight dollars higher than 2021. 

The average gas price in Arizona is currently at about $3.30. 

Biden administration officials indicated to reporters this week that they anticipate 2024 will bring a continued decline in inflation. The Federal Reserve didn’t modify interest rates on Wednesday; Chairman Jerome Powell indicated that they would cut them next year.

Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.

Arizona’s 2024 Presidential Preference Election Is Set

Arizona’s 2024 Presidential Preference Election Is Set

By Daniel Stefanski |

This week, national Republican and Democrat candidates for President of the United States met the filing deadline to appear on a March 19th election ballot in the Grand Canyon State. Nine Republicans and seven Democrats will be on the ballot for voters of their respective parties to choose from.

The 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, headlines the Republican side, which also includes fellow challengers Ron DeSantis (Governor of Florida), Nikki Haley (former Ambassador to the United Nations), Chris Christie (former Governor of New Jersey), and Vivek Ramaswamy (Entrepreneur).

President Joe Biden, the 46th American Commander in Chief, overshadows the field for his Democrat Party.

A fair number of candidates with significant name ID remain on the Republican side in addition to the former president, but the choices for Republicans will likely be whittled down to two candidates by the time March 19th rolls around – thanks to several primaries in states around the country before Arizona’s contest. In 2016, the last time the state hosted a competitive Republican preference election, Trump and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz were essentially the last two candidates standing in Arizona, even though more names were on the ballot.

Though there are more than three months remaining until the Arizona Presidential Preference Election, former President Trump appears to have a commanding lead over any of his Republican competitors. According to a November poll of the primary field by Noble Predictive Insights, Trump’s numbers in the November survey grew to 53% of the Republican electorate (up from 50% in July), while Governor Ron DeSantis lost three points (19% from 16%). Ambassador Nikki Haley doubled her standing from the July report, acquiring eight percent of the Arizona GOP field (from four percent in July). Vivek Ramaswamy remained at nine percent.

A recent AZ Free News voter poll conducted by Data Orbital also revelead that nearly 4.5 percent more of Arizona voters prefer former President Donald Trump over current President Joe Biden

The primaries and causes will soon start when the calendar turns to 2024, and candidates look to shore up the requisite number of delegates to win their party’s nomination. On Monday, January 15, Iowans will caucus to kick off the election schedule. New Hampshire will then follow on Tuesday, January 23. There will be 14 states holding primary elections on ‘Super Tuesday,’ March 5.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.