County attorney undergoes emergency surgery
Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel was recovering from emergency surgery Tuesday night for bleeding to the brain.
Adel was hospitalized in serious but stable condition, according to Jennifer Liewer, spokesperson for the office.
Before she was taken to the hospital, The Republic was told the county attorney was at home waiting for the first round of election results. Adel, a Republican, and Democrat Julie Gunnigle are vying to become the first woman elected county attorney. Gunnigle holds a slim lead in the race.
Operations at the office are running as normal, according to Liewer. Ken Vick, chief deputy, is continuing his normal role as Adel’s second in command.
“Staff have been kept informed and are leaning on each other for support,” she said.
Adel was appointed as county attorney in October 2019 by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors after longtime County Attorney Bill Montgomery became an Arizona Supreme Court justice.
In her year in office, Adel has made numerous changes to an agency often
characterized as “tough on crime” and closed off to the public under the administrations of Bill Montgomery and Andrew Thomas.
She updated pretrial diversion programs, created a prosecution integrity unit, changed plea policies and started community advisory boards.
Adel regularly states she is focused on leading an office focused on “ethical excellence” and doing what is right.
“This position requires unwavering leadership and consistent communication to balance supporting our staff, engaging the community and administering the needs of the office,” she told The Republic in October.
One of Adel’s most notable decisions was firing Juan Martinez, the office’s storied death penalty prosecutor. After hearing about retaliation claims made by female employees who accused Martinez of sexual harassment and misconduct, Adel placed him on administrative leave and later fired him.
“Any inappropriate behavior, any harassment, workplace, sexual or otherwise will absolutely not be tolerated,” Adel told The Republic. “The women in the office need to feel safe where they work. They need to know we are taking care of them, protecting them and empowering them.”