Colo. Lawyer Discipline Chief to Review Ethics Case Against Maricopa, Ariz., County Attorney
The Arizona Supreme Court has appointed the head of the Colorado Supreme Court’s attorney discipline office to oversee an investigation of ethics charges against the Maricopa, Ariz., county attorney, the Arizona Republic reports.
Attorney Andrew Thomas has made headlines in recent months by bringing criminal charges and civil racketeering litigation (now withdrawn) against fellow Maricopa County officials—including judges, as detailed in earlier ABAJournal.com posts. At least one local newspaper has characterized the situation as a political vendetta that poses a threat to the rule of law there.
Appointed yesterday to look into the unspecified ethics complaints made against Thomas, the Colorado Supreme Court’s John Gleason says he has already started working on the case.
“We’re used to dealing with complex investigations,” the 22-year ethics veteran told the Republic yesterday. “I don’t know any of the parties involved. I can’t think of anyone more independent than me and my staff.”
The newspaper article doesn’t include any comment from Thomas, but he has previously said he did nothing wrong.
Additional coverage:
ABA Journal: “The Maricopa Courthouse War”
ABA Journal: “Claim of a Federal Corruption Investigation Backfires”
ABAJournal.com: “Ariz. Sheriff’s Office, County Battle Over Control of Archived E-Mails”
ABAJournal.com: “Ariz. Judges Defending Controversial Civil RICO Case Seemingly Win a Round”
