File ID 18021
Motion to Censure Sheriff Nanos and Request Investigation Discussion/Direction/Action: Motion to censure Sheriff Chris Nanos for violations of the First Amendment Free Speech rights of Lieutenant Heather Lappin and Sergeant Aaron Cross on dubious and false claims of electioneering while in uniform, which neither of them did. Lt. Lappin is the Republican nominee for Sheriff in this election in which early voting began October 9th, and Sgt. Cross is the president of the Pima County Deputies Organization union, which has taken a vote of no confidence in Sheriff Nanos. Motion to censure Sheriff Nanos additionally for violations of federal and/or state laws regarding free speech and election interference, for his actions taken during this election to put his chief political rival on paid administrative leave during an active general election for dubious and shifting reasons, prohibiting her from speaking to the public about the alleged reasons for the leave, and even prohibiting her from leaving her home during regular business hours, thus impeding her ability to campaign freely for the position of Sheriff. While the sheriff, in his 10/15 press release about the matter, noted that “referrals will be made to the Arizona Attorney General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” again, attempting to use his office to smear his political opponent just weeks before Election Day, it is clear that the Board of Supervisors must in fact act to ensure accountability. Motion, therefore, to ask the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, and the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, to investigate the matter and any state or federal laws that may have been broken by Sheriff Nanos in using his official capacity as sheriff to attempt to silence his political opposition during an election. (District 2)
- Committee
- Board of Supervisors
- Requested by
- Board of Supervisors
- Introduced
- October 23, 2024
- On agenda
- November 12, 2024
- Passed
- November 12, 2024