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With the enemies of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on the defensive, responsibility for the county’s civil lawsuits has been returned to the County Attorney’s Office.
The Supes had essentially fired former County Attorney Andrew Thomas from his job as the county’s main civil lawyer after Thomas and his buddy, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, went after Supervisor Don Stapley with a trumped-up criminal investigation.
Now, though, it looks like Thomas is about to be disbarred. Arpaio’s top people are in hot water. Most importantly, the Supes get along with the new county attorney, Bill Montgomery.
“He is a good, ethical man and we’re lucky to have him,” said Andy Kunasek, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, in a prepared statement.
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A news release states:
The new Civil Services Division will be headed by experienced trial attorney Doug Irish, who currently serves as the County Attorney’s Special Assistant for Intergovernmental Relations and has an extensive background in law firm management. Internal recruitment will begin immediately to staff some ninety new positions within the Division. The Board of Supervisors also approved the expenditure of up to $575,000 in existing funds to cover the costs of the transition. The creation of the Civil Services Division will have a net zero impact on the overall County Budget.
There’s also a net zero chance of the County Attorney’s Office ever investigating the Board of Supervisors again. But it’s best not to think of such things.
