Taxpayers foot bill for abuse probes
Costs for House inquiries can run $300 per hour
Taxpayers are picking up the tab for accused lawmakers’ legal costs as several Arizona state legislators face investigation for alleged sexual misconduct or harassment — to the tune of $300 per hour.
But the expense for a claim against one lawmaker likely will be minor.
On Wednesday, the House Ethics Committee chairman dismissed a complaint filed against Rep. Rebecca Rios, D-Phoenix. The chairman of the committee called the complaint the result of a political dispute and not a violation the committee would take action on.
Rios was accused by another lawmaker of having an inappropriate relationship with a House staff member.
For two other lawmakers who are
“I believe it is wholly inappropriate for the taxpayers to have to provide for (attorney’s fees) that has nothing to do with the business of the people. I oppose this idea and hope that the decision is reversed immediately.” Kelly Townsend R-Mesa, House majority whip
the subject of open investigations, the Arizona House of Representatives will cover their legal bills for the first phase of the inquiries, Speaker J.D. Mesnard said last week.
The decision has drawn criticism from at least one legislator, who says it’s a waste of public funds.
But Mesnard, R-Chandler, said the decision is a “fairness issue” because House staff attorneys, who would ordinarily advise lawmakers, are all tapped to help oversee the investigations.
“This is a temporary extension of House staff is how I view it,” he said. “This is what any organization would do if they have an internal issue. This is not a legal defense happening. This is entirely advisory and about process.”
Mesnard said the House would cap lawmakers’ legal assistance at $300 per hour, with a maximum of $6,000, or 20 hours. He said lawmakers’ legal costs will only be covered during the investigative portion of the inquiry.
If any lawmaker faces ethics proceedings based on the findings of an investigation, he or she will be responsible for hiring their own defense attorneys.
Allegations of sexual harassment have jolted the Arizona Legislature in recent months. Three lawmakers are publicly accused of some form of sexual impropriety.
Much of the controversy has centered on Rep. Don Shooter, R-Yuma. At least seven women, including Arizona
Republic Publisher and President Mi-Ai Parrish, have publicly accused Shooter of making sexually charged comments, touching them inappropriately or making unwanted advances.
Shooter, who has denied any wrongdoing, is one of three lawmakers who has accepted Mesnard’s offer to hire outside counsel at taxpayer expense, according to a spokesman for the GOP caucus.
Mesnard has the sole authority to authorize the House to cover legal costs, but the move has drawn protests from another member of Republican leadership in the House.
Majority Whip Kelly Townsend, RMesa, has criticized the move to pay for Shooter’s attorneys in a series of socialmedia posts.
“I believe it is wholly inappropriate for the taxpayers to have to provide for (attorney’s fees) that has nothing to do with the business of the people,” Townsend wrote on Facebook last week. “I oppose this idea and hope that the decision is reversed immediately.”
Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, is still the subject of an open investigation.
Ugenti-Rita was the first woman to publicly accuse Shooter of harassment. She said he made comments about her breasts and made several unwanted sexual advances.
After Ugenti-Rita accused Shooter, he fired back at her with accusations.
Shooter accused Ugenti-Rita of having a sexual relationship with a legislative staff member and making a comment about masturbation to another lawmaker in a public hearing, which was recorded on video.
Ugenti-Rita hasn’t specifically responded to the accusations, aside from saying that she stands by her claims against Shooter.
A House of Representatives spokesman declined to comment on whether the finding regarding Rios is applicable to Ugenti-Rita’s situation.
Rep. Ray Martinez, D-Phoenix, filed the complaint against Rios, alleging the inappropriate relationship and saying the security staffer was later forced to resign.
Martinez said he was upset because Rios hasn’t endorsed him for re-election.
Rios’ attorney Larry Wulkan said the investigation confirms Martinez’s complaint was “baseless.”
“Rep. Rios looks forward to continuing her work, advocating for children’s access to health care and education, without the distraction of meritless political attacks,” he said in a statement.
In both Ugenti-Rita’s and Rios’ cases, the accusations came from lawmakers who had other grievances, not the staff members involved.