In a related development, a disciplinary panel convened by the Arizona Supreme Court last week repeatedly found evidence of ethical misconduct -- even criminal acts -- that it said merited disbarment for Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and one of his former lieutenants, former Deputy County Attorney Lisa Aubuchon. The law license of former Deputy County Attorney Rachel Alexander was suspended for six months.
The attorneys had filed lawsuits accusing County officials of widespread corruption.
It is rare for the activities of an elected prosecutor to be subjected to such harsh scrutiny. Legal experts are hailing the case as a model for how to hold prosecutors accountable for misconduct.
"This case is one of those few cases where the disciplinary mechanism worked -- and worked in a dramatic and powerful way," said Bennett Gershman, a Pace University law professor and an expert on prosecutorial misconduct. "This is a huge victory for good-government people and people who believe that prosecutors should be accountable for misconduct."
The sanctions are to take effect May 10, but at least two of the three prosecutors are likely to appeal, according to their lawyers, and they can ask for the sanctions to be stayed until their appeals are heard. Disbarment would strip them of their ability to practice law in Arizona and could hinder their ability to practice in other states.
Only Thomas would not indicate Tuesday whether he would appeal, but he called his disbarment "a political witch hunt."
In yet another Arizona development, the Brady Campaign, which backs strong gun control measures, annually assigns up to a total of 100 points for each state's gun laws. Arizona received its lowest ranking this year.
The Brady report says Arizona earned a six the first two years of the rankings, but only a two last year. They lost two points this time around because there is no longer a requirement that people have a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
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