Just a day after RedState wrote about bad news for the Arizona Democratic Party and its leader, Governor Katie Hobbs, as voters would have the opportunity to vote on a referendum on border security and immigration in the November ballot, things got even worse.
READ MORE: Victory: Progressives freak out as Arizona passes referendum on border patrol arrest of illegal immigrants
The office of Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has agreed to investigate allegations that Governor Hobbs (D) and her administration used state funds to reward major campaign donors. According to reports this week based on a story that Republic of Arizona published Wednesday:
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office will investigate what a Republican senator called a “pay-to-play” scam involving Governor Katie Hobbs.
State Senator TJ Shope (R-District 16) sent a letter to Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes on Wednesday expressing concern that Gov. Hobbs may be using the state Department of Children and Youth Services to escalate payments to companies that donate to her.
This system could constitute bribery, fraud, illegal exploit of state funds and a conflict of interest, he added.
“I respectfully request that your office examine the facts surrounding the Department of Child Safety’s alleged decision to approve a nearly 60% increase in Sunshine Residential Homes’ premium rates and determine whether the conduct of any of the parties involved warrants a criminal or civil investigation,” he continued.
Today’s article about @azcentral from @sbarchenger brings with it many legal questions of both a criminal and civil nature. I call @AZAGMayes and/or Maricopa District Attorney @Rachel1Mitchell to investigate this matter. We need to find out the truth, what @GovernorHobbs knew and at what point… pic.twitter.com/CVbyU6vnSs
— TJ Shope (@TJShope) June 6, 2024
In response to Senator Shope’s request, the Attorney General’s Criminal Division confirmed on Thursday that it would begin investigating the alleged plan to deceive the people of the Copper State:
UPDATE In response to GOP Sen @TJShopeCall for a review of the potential “pay-to-play” system that @sbarchenger‘s story, @AZAGMayesThe office announces an investigation. https://t.co/i6oPDOnLg0 pic.twitter.com/QMisfbN8gZ
— Brahm Resnik (@brahmresnik) June 7, 2024
Some of the detailsuntil now:
The Arizona Republic reported On Wednesday, Sunshine Residential Homes was reported to have received a hefty price escalate from DCS after the company donated six-figure sums to Hobbs’ inauguration fund and the Arizona Democratic Party.
- Sunshine requested a rate escalate in December 2022, which DCS denied in February 2023. In May 2023, the company again requested a rate escalate, which was approved.
- Meanwhile, the company donated $100,000 to Hobbs’ founding fund in December 2022. records dated the donation to February 2023. Sunshine also donated $200,000 to the Democratic Party in Arizona shortly before the 2022 election.
- Sunshine CEO Simon Kottoor served on Hobbs’ inaugural committee and supported her campaign, and his company presented her with an award about a month before her election.
Shope also sent copies of his letter about the governor’s alleged corrupt actions to the Republican Maricopa County Attorney and included a copy to the director of the Department of Child Services “requesting records” that could shed featherlight on the plot. Axios It was also reported (link above):
- Shope, chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, sent letters Wednesday to Mayes and Republican Maricopa County District Attorney Rachel Mitchell asking them to decide whether a civil or criminal investigation was warranted.
- In the letters released by the Senate, he wrote that the Republic article raised questions about possible violations of laws related to bribery, fraud, procurement, conflicts of interest and illegal spending of government funds.
- He also sent a letter to DCS Director David Lujan requesting unredacted documents related to Sunshine’s contract.
Stay tuned. As this story continues to evolve, RedState will update you with updates as they become available.
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