Politics

  Babeu refuses to turn over county computers to feds for inquiry into on-the-job politicking   The U.S. Office of Special Counsel is investigating Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu and several of his top aides for their possible involvement in unlawful political activity. The federal agency has issued two subpoenas after the Sheriff’s Office refused to turn over two laptop computers. Records show the subpoenas were issued April 10 during an investigation of possible violations of the Hatch Act.

  Babeu Leads While Gosar Misleads Sheriff Paul Babeu announced over the weekend that he raised just over $144,000 in the first quarter of 2012 for his campaign for Congress, putting him well ahead of his nearest opponent. Since announcing his candidacy last October, Babeu has never trailed in fundraising.

The Committee to Elect Maxine Brown Pinal County Supervisor, District 5 is pleased to announce that Maxine will participate in the upcoming historic event:  the 100th Arizona Town Hall - taking place this month in Tucson. The topic of this Town Hall could not be more timely –  Civic Engagement.   Participants will consider the status of civic engagement in Arizona and reach consensus on what actions can have the most positive impact on Arizona’s future.

Two officers file suit, say Sheriff’s administration “swept case under the rug” Two Arizona law enforcement officers filed a lawsuit last week against Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, saying his administration pulled strings to release and clear the record of a man who assaulted and injured the officers. Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Officer Hugh Grant, one of the officers filing suit, says the sheriff’s department’s administration was “going to sweep this case under the rug from day one.”

Law Enforcement Veteran Wary of Their Decisions Pinal County Sheriff Candidate and law enforcement veteran, Glenn Millsaps, articulates his view on tactics by the staff of Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, PCSO, regarding an incident at Country Thunder last year.  It resulted in a PCSO Detective, Andrew Good, along with Hugh Grant, a Department of Public Safety Officer, suing Sheriff Paul Babeu, his staff, Pinal County Attorney’s Office, and Country Thunder concert promoters for defamation, racketeering, and violation of their victim rights, among other things.  Unfortunately, Goode is partially disabled and Grant was investigated by DPS because of the incident.

Today, April 9, 2012, Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission Chair, Colleen Coyle Mathis announced that the Department of Justice has approved the congressional district map submitted by the Commission on February 9, 2012.  Chair Mathis thanked those members of the public that participated in the process to develop the congressional map.

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu will broadcast his first television ad this week. The ad will be seen by voters district-wide. Titled "Hear it from me," the script can be seen below: 

Saturday afternoon on March 3rd, thirty-five migrant rights activists converged on Sheriff Paul Babeu's Pinal County Jail in Florence, Arizona. This was the fifth monthly vigil meeting at the jail to bring attention to the conditions under which immigration detainees are being held.Members of the Arizona Detention Working Group (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arizona-Detention-Working-Group/280858511963997) are calling for the cancellation of the contract the Pinal County Jail has with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

I will be asking my elected colleagues to sign a resolution to hold their employees to the same standards of conduct that the Board holds its staff to.  The resolution is straightforward:  current county employees should resign their position if they intend to run for a paid partisan political office.  Our Board has held this standard for many years and I feel our constituents expect other elected officials to follow suit.

Mitt Romney made a campaign stop in Mesa Monday night. A couple thousand supporters turned out to hear Mitt speak at the Mesa Amphitheatre. The venue was nearly full of excited fans.

GOP candidate Mitt Romney put a good end to a bad week Saturday -- winning the Maine caucuses hours after placing first in a closely watched straw poll of conservative leaders and activists....

The effort to recall Governor Jan Brewer kicked off today, Feb 11th, at Wesley Bolin Park at the State Capitol. Thousands of people were in Downtown Phoenix to celebrate the statehood centennial at Arizona Best Fest at the Capitol. The group, led by community activist Leonard Clark, met at 10am to organize the volunteers. They passed out blank petitions to volunteers and as the crowds arrived at the Capitol, they began collecting signatures.

As of January 17th, 2012, San Tan Valley has new Congressional and Legislative districts. The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission released their final maps of the new districts across Arizona. All of the numbers and border lines have changed. The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission worked hard last year to establish new lines. Much controversy was stirred up over whether the lines were fair, whether Colleen Mathis, the chair of the Commission was doing a good job or not, and over the legal efforts by Governor Brewer to replace her.

Also leads with $240,664 banked in Quarter 4 San Tan Valley - Despite a 68 day exploratory committee without a final district, Sheriff Paul Babeu led all Arizona House candidates in fundraising as well as money netted in Quarter 4.

Last week, the media reported that recognized Neo-Nazi and white supremacist Jason  (J.T.) Ready switched parties to run as a Democrat for Pinal County Sheriff. The Pinal County Democratic Party did not recruit, does not endorse or back Ready.  It is without question that Ready's hate philosophy does not reflect the principles and values of the Democratic Party.