A former superintendent secretary with Yuma County’s Hyder Elementary School District, Nubia Gonzalez, has been indicted for Theft, Misuse of Public Monies, and Forgery. The indictment comes eight weeks after her arrest in Scottsdale in connection with an elaborate fraud scheme against the Cocopah Middle School Association of Parents and Teachers (APT).
A press release from the Arizona Auditor General revealed that Gonzalez has been indicted on allegations that in December 2020 she “embezzled $2,486 when, 3 months after she was terminated, an illicit District check in that amount was deposited in her business checking account.”
As reported by Fox10, court documents revealed that the Yuma County case “is currently with the AZ Attorney General’s Office,” however, Attorney General Kris Mayes’ Office replied to reports that the AG “cannot comment on this matter at this time.”
On July 3rd, Scottsdale Police received a report of suspected fraud from the president of the Cocopah Middle School APT. After returning from travel outside the U.S., the president had found the organization’s savings account emptied.
Per Fox10, court documents showed, “After she saw this, [the APT president] reached out to the former treasurer to ask her about the zeroed out accounts.” The documents noted also, “[the former treasurer] stated that she had no idea what had happened.”
The two APT officials reached out to the organization’s bank investigators. They discovered that the entire balance of the organization’s accounts had been wiped out in a series of withdrawals from their savings and checking accounts, linked to Gonzalez.
Police reported in the court documents that, “The total combined loss between both accounts was $36,512.09. Banking documents were obtained directly from Wells Fargo personnel, which showed Nubia Gonzalez signing each withdrawal slip.”
According to AZFamily, the group’s president said that Gonzalez was elected as treasurer in April and was given control and signing authority over the group’s accounts at Wells Fargo bank. Only the two of them had access. The authorities said, “It became readily apparent” that the suspect “immediately withdrew the money,” once the president had left. On the same day, Gonzalez reportedly deposited $22,300 into her personal checking account which she subsequently used to pay her own bills including “credit cards and other various accounts.”
The court documents described that Gonzalez allegedly told the president she was moving the group’s funds to a higher-yield interest bearing account, however, none was created per the bank. She reportedly sent doctored screenshots and forged documents supporting this claim.
The authorities wrote, “This was a well-thought out fraud scene, which involved counterfeit and forged banking documents.”
The board members promptly voted to remove Gonzalez from her position as treasurer. She later turned herself in following media reports of the allegations and has been charged with theft, fraudulent schemes, and forgery. Funds totaling $14,212.09 are still unaccounted for according to Scottsdale Police.
Per 12News, Gonzalez is being held on a $40,000 bond in Scottsdale and a $30,000 bond in Yuma County.
In a statement to Fox10 the Cocopah Middle School APT wrote:
“The Cocopah APT would like to express our appreciation to the community at large for all the support shown to us. We are moving forward stronger and more united than ever.
We have added additional security measures and will continue to educate and inform other school parent organizations to learn from this incident and adapt their processes as well. Unfortunately at this time, it does not appear the money will be recovered. We are working hard to raise needed funds for our school and students during our current fundraising campaign for this school year.
This investigation is in the very capable hands of Maricopa County and we thank them as well as the Scottsdale PD for their diligent work in this matter.”
An Arizona thinktank has released its ballot guide for local and statewide propositions facing voters in the November General Election.
Last week, the Common Sense Institute Arizona issued a ballot guide for a number of local and statewide propositions. The report analyzes Scottsdale Proposition 490, Glendale Proposition 499, Proposition 138, and Proposition 312.
“In a year where many Arizonans will face the longest ballot in recent history, CSI is pleased to provide this resource on some of the statewide and local ballot questions that have economic implications,” said Katie Ratlief, Executive Director of the Common Sense Institute. “CSI strives to be a go-to resource for voters looking for just the facts, data, and impact on jobs. We hope this resource will be helpful to voters in making informed decisions in 2024.”
The summary of Scottsdale Proposition 490, according to CSI, is that it “would enact a new transaction privilege and use tax at a rate of 0.15% to fund city parks and preserves.” CSI’s bottom line for Prop 490 is as follows: “Given the local nature, small size, and offsetting public spending of the proposed tax, its economic impacts are difficult to model and probably small. Given clarification that this is a new tax, city voters must decide whether a new $30 million annual sales tax is needed to maintain and protect its popular parks and preserves within the larger context of the total city budget.”
The summary of Glendale Proposition 499, according to CSI, is that it “would enact a $20 minimum wage for certain hotel and event center workers, set limitations on the amount of square feet a room attendant can clean before earning twice the hourly wage rate, require service charges to be distributed directly to the person performing the service, and establish a new City Department of Labor Standards.”
CSI’s bottom line for Prop 499 is as follows: “Ultimately, if enacted, the Act would have dramatic implications for the city of Glendale and its economy. Though the implications would play out over time, rather than immediately, the results would be stark. Glendale is long, thin, and surrounded by the state’s urban core. The assets it has invested in — like State Farm Stadium — may be fixed, but other event and accommodation facilities could easily relocate outside of Glendale and still be within a mile or two of major landmarks.”
The summary of Proposition 138, according to CSI, is that it “will modify the minimum wage credit for tipped workers in the state through a constitutional amendment from $3/hr to 25% of the current state-wide minimum wage amount so long as the individual makes at least $2 above the state-wide minimum in wages and tips combined. CSI estimates the 25% offset in Prop 138 would be $3.69/hr in 2025.”
CSI’s bottom line for Prop 138 is as follows: “By lowering labor costs for certain tipped workers in the Arizona economy, the state’s minimum wage tipped worker credit supports a higher overall level of employment in these industries than would happen otherwise. The current fixed dollar credit both declines in relative value over time (when the minimum wage is increased) and is vulnerable to changes when the minimum wage itself is changed (since it is a part of state law).”
The summary of Proposition 312, according to CSI, is that it “would allow property owners in the state to apply for a property tax refund if the city or locality in which the property is located does not enforce laws or ordinances regarding illegal camping, loitering, obstructing public thoroughfares, panhandling, public urination or defecation, public consumption of alcoholic beverages, and possession or use of illegal substances.”
CSI’s bottom line for Prop 312 is as follows: “Property crime, illegal camping, the public use of drugs and alcohol, and other public nuisances are on the rise in Arizona. The impact of this is disproportionate, however — the problem is often isolated to specific areas. While this can limit the exposure of the city as a whole to the issue, for property owners in these areas, the impacts can be significant if the issue isn’t mitigated.”
The ballot guide also includes a number of key facts for each proposition that allows voters to obtain more information and context as they research the reasons and importance of the measures.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Wednesday evening in Scottsdale, the America First Policy Institute’s (AFPI) America First Women’s Agenda hosted a Border Safety Town Hall with community leaders and experts on the border to explore and discuss the implications of border security on Arizona and “the rising violence against women both near the border and across the country.”
Ashley Hayek, AFPI Chief Engagement Officer, and Executive Director of America First Works spoke, joined by Art Del Cueto, Executive Board Member of the National Border Patrol Council, Rob Law, the AFPI Director of the Center for Homeland Security and Immigration, Kimmie Dillon, the America First Works Coordinator for Maricopa County, and Arizona State Senator Janae Shamp (R-AZ29).
In a post to X, the AFPI shared images and video of the townhall calling the evening, “A successful night in Scottsdale, AZ, focusing on border safety.” They added, “We deeply appreciate the families who shared their stories of losing loved ones to fentanyl and the experts who provided insights on the border crisis and how we can protect our communities. This is a fight we can’t stop fighting.”
A successful night in Scottsdale, AZ, focusing on border safety. We deeply appreciate the families who shared their stories of losing loved ones to fentanyl and the experts who provided insights on the border crisis and how we can protect our communities. This is a fight we can’t… pic.twitter.com/ENWIGQQmXX
— America First Policy Institute (@A1Policy) August 22, 2024
Sen. Shamp shared the post writing, “God bless every family who has lost a loved one to this deadly crisis created by the Harris Administration. #everystateisaborderstate #border911 #SaveAmerica #TrumpVance2024”
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protections’s Criminal Noncitizen Statistics, convictions of non-citizens has increased year-over-year since 2021 and are projected to outpace 2023 metrics.
By criminal type, convictions for assault, battery, and domestic violence have consistently increased over the same period alongside driving under the influence, drug possession and trafficking. Sexual offenses have decreased slightly after spiking in 2021.
In a thread to X on August 20, Law prefaced the townhall writing about the recent report from the DHS Inspector General that stated over 320,000 illegal immigrant children were released into the U.S. to unvetted adults, and over 32,000 are confirmed to be unaccounted for.
“The day after the DNC endorsed amnesty for human traffickers, the DHS Inspector General confirms that Biden-Harris handed over ~320k unaccompanied alien children back to the traffickers. This is FAR WORSE than the 85k lost UAC previously reported by NYT.
The Inspector General confirms that these migrant children Biden-Harris facilitated being trafficked to the US are now trapped in sex trafficking & forced labor. There is NO plan to locate them & return to home country.
An Arizona appellate court has kicked a sales tax proposal for the city of Scottsdale off the November ballot.
The Arizona Court of Appeals sided with a challenge by three city residents (represented by the Goldwater Institute) that the city’s ballot descriptions inaccurately characterized the sales tax as a decrease rather than a pitch for a new tax.
“The City’s description of the measure fails to properly disclose the proposition’s principal provision — that it creates a new tax,” said the court.
The city of Scottsdale characterized the sales tax proposal as a decrease of the current sales tax expiring next June from .20 percent to .15 percent over 30 years.
“Shall Scottsdale’s current 0.20% transaction privilege and use tax rate, expiring June 30, 2025, be replaced and reduced to 0.15% for 30 years to fund improvements, maintenance, and increased police and fire protection of citywide parks, recreational facilities, and the preserve as determined by city ordinance?”
The Arizona Superior Court had previously disagreed the ballot proposal language was false or misleading, and had granted the city’s motion to dismiss the residents’ complaint. However, in their Monday ruling, the Arizona Court of Appeals took issue with the city’s promise that the new sales tax was a replacement and reduction to the current one.
“This new tax would neither reduce the current tax rate (because the tax will remain at .2 percent until it expires), nor reduce the current tax rate after its expiration (because it would create a new tax),” stated the court. “The proposition’s description that a ‘YES’ vote would reduce the “transaction privilege and use tax rate” — which in total is 1.75% and made up of multiple different taxes including the 0.20% at issue here — to 0.15% is misleading because a ‘YES’ vote, in fact, would implement a brand-new tax.”
The court went on to say that the city’s explanation of the implication of a “no” vote was misleading because it could prompt voters to believe that their voting had an effect on the inevitable end of the current tax.
“[T]he ‘NO’ language in both the full text and Tagline text fails to communicate the essential change that a ‘NO’ vote would effectuate,” said the court. “Namely, that the current tax would terminate as scheduled and no longer exist. A ‘NO’ vote does not, somehow, result in a reduction as the language states; a ‘NO’ vote results in the current tax terminating on June 30, 2025, as currently scheduled.”
In its order, the Arizona Court of Appeals reversed the superior court order and enjoined the city and Maricopa County from including the measure on the November ballot.
Although the court offered some explanation for its ruling, the appeals court promised a full opinion would come out as well.
The Goldwater Institute said in a press release announcing the court win that the ruling would ensure more honest representation for taxpayers in the future.
“Local leaders in Scottsdale and across Arizona should consider themselves warned: public officials should not be in the business of deceiving taxpayers so they’ll vote to raise taxes on themselves,” said the think tank.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
One Arizona mom is hoping to make a difference over the next two years for her family in the state legislature.
Carine Werner is currently running to represent Arizona Legislative District 4 in the state senate. She notes on her website that her history as an immigrant, who arrived in the United States when she was eleven years old, has given her a great appreciation for this nation and helps drive her spirit to give back to the community around her through public service.
On March 29, Werner posted to her “X” account that she “turned in more than 3x the amount of signatures needed to get on the ballot for State Senate in LD-4.”
I’m excited to announce that just this week I turned in more than 3x the amount of signatures needed to get on the ballot for State Senate in LD-4
I am incredibly grateful for every one of you who helped get us on the ballot – thank you all! ❤️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/LCswfQ8aJF
“Mom” is the first descriptor on Werner’s biography, which speaks volumes to onlookers about “who” and “what” is inspiring her to serve. Carine has three children, all with her husband of almost 30 years. She reflects on the motivation for her campaign for the state legislature, saying, “We face a flailing economy with out-of-control prices, a broken border, rising crime, homelessness, and challenges within our education system. As a result of these issues, we worry that our children and grandchildren won’t have the chance to enjoy the same opportunities and lifestyle that we have.”
Werner now serves on the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board. She lists her goals for this position as “improving the quality of education offered to Scottsdale students and ensuring their safety on all SUSD campuses.”
On her biography for SUSD, Werner reveals that “highlights of her [business] career include facilitating more than $100 million of commercial and residential loans, hiring, developing, and training more than 150 lenders, and creating the most six-figure income earners in her organization.”
Though Werner is already involved in public service, she sees an opportunity in the state legislature to secure a better future for her children. On her website, Werner writes that she is running for state senator “because our school boards are only one front in the battle for our children’s future, and we need fighters in the state legislature who will fight for their future too. Those of us who call this area home are truly fortunate because we’ve worked hard for the life we’ve built here. But we aren’t immune to the problems happening in the world that are beginning to hit close to home.”
The District 4 candidate has three priorities on her website to give voters a taste of what she would pursue if given the chance to represent them at the state legislature. The first is education, where Carine promises to help “increase teacher pay and reduce wasteful spending [and] empower parents.” She states, “Parents are the experts in their children’s lives, education, and health. They’re the ones who should drive children’s education inside and outside of the classroom. In the State Senate, Carine will ensure transparency in classrooms so parents are informed and involved in their child’s education.”
In her second priority for the state legislature, Werner highlights “safe and secure communities,” vowing to “empower and fund law enforcement, secure the border [and] address homelessness with compassion and accountability.” Giving her thoughts on the border, she writes, “We’ve all seen far too many Arizonans die of drug overdoses as a result of the crisis at our border. In the State Senate, Carine will work with local, state, federal, and law enforcement officials on solutions to secure our border, stop the rise in crime, and stop the flow of drugs coming into Arizona.”
Finally, Werner includes “economic growth and opportunities” for her priorities. Under this umbrella, she commits to “champion low-tax, business friendly environment, generate job growth, and improve cost of living.” Werner says that she “will promote legislation to advance economic growth and opportunities for prosperity through low taxes and legislation that will benefit Arizonans and Arizona businesses, while standing firmly against legislation that attempts to increase the burden on families and businesses.”
Werner was recently endorsed by the Maricopa County Colleges Police Officers Association. In announcing the support, Werner said, “It is critical that we fund police and stand alongside the men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe. At the Capitol, I will champion funding for law enforcement and more investment in a secure border. Together we can keep our communities and neighborhoods safe!”
Proud to stand with law enforcement and grateful for the endorsement from Maricopa County Colleges Police Officers Association – Mccpoa.
It is critical that we fund police and stand alongside the men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe. At the Capitol, I will… pic.twitter.com/BLFz6kddYh
Legislative District 4 is one of the most competitive in the state. According to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, it has a 3.4% vote spread over the past nine statewide elections within its boundaries, with Republicans winning five of those contests.
The Scottsdale mother is running in the Republican primary against Kenneth R. Bowers, Jr. The winner on July 30 will face off against incumbent Democrat state senator Christine Marsh for the right to represent Arizona Legislative District 4.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
