Rick Romley

New article in the Tribune today on how county supervisor Don Stapley is using his office to avoid prosecution for financial fraud.

The indicted supervisor’s attempts to have the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office kicked off the case amount to “seeking to choose his prosecutor,” and if he is successful Stapley would effectively make himself immune from being charged with a crime, according to the court filing from prosecutors.

According to Special Prosecutor Lisa Aubuchon,

“The defendant’s position appears to be that so long as he commits a criminal act that can be portrayed as part of his governmental duties, he is not subject to prosecution.

“Recent events have shown that defendant Don Stapley, a powerful politician, has friends in high places who will try to thwart our ongoing investigation and criminal case against him.  However, we’re not intimidated, and we intend to fully root out the corruption we have found.”

- The joint statement from Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and County Attorney Andrew Thomas in response to Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting. The supervisors voted unanimously to take control of its own litigation from Thomas. They hired former County Attorney Rick Romley as a consultant in the political battle.

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“Recent events have shown that defendant Don Stapley, a powerful politician, has friends in high places who will try to thwart our ongoing investigation and criminal case against him.  However, we’re not intimidated, and we intend to fully root out the corruption we have found.”
- The joint statement from Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and County Attorney Andrew Thomas in response to Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting. The supervisors voted unanimously to take control of its own litigation from Thomas. They hired former County Attorney Rick Romley as a consultant in the political battle. 
Stay ...

read the rest of this post

County attorney candidate Tim Nelson: Campaign Photo

Maricopa County attorney candidate Tim Nelson revealed a television commerical his campaign has begun running, featuring former county attorney Rick Romley endorsing the Democrat who is trying to unseat incumbent county attorney Andrew Thomas.

"I'm saddened by what I've seen over the last four years under Andy Thomas," says Romley, a Republican, in the ad. "He has abused his powers, wasted tax dollars and put his political agenda before public safety."

Tim Nelson picked up a big endorsement from Rick Romley this week which landed him as a winner in this week's Winners & Losers.

PHOENIX -- As was widely anticipated, former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley endorsed Tim Nelson over sitting County Attorney Andrew Thomas in the race for the position Romley held for 16 years.

At a press conference convened outside the county attorney's office in downtown Phoenix Thursday, Romley, a Republican who backed Thomas in his first bid for county attorney in 2004, announced he was supporting Democrat Tim Nelson, praising Nelson's qualifications and criticizing the incumbent.

"Initially, I did not have any intentions to endorse a candidate in the Maricopa County attorney's race," said Romley. However, he said, "too many disturbing phone calls" from area law enforcement officials regarding Thomas's policies led him to back his opponent. 

"I am formally endorsing Tim Nelson," said Romley.

Former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley said he doesn't know where the campaign of current Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas got the idea he is endorsing Thomas rival Tim Nelson, but that he is still staying silent on his choice.

"I haven't told anyone in the press - and they've tried to get me to give hints, but I'm not saying. I haven't shown anyone the release I've prepared," Romley told PolitickerAZ.com.

Former Maricopa County attorney Rick Romley announced Tuesday he will be making an endorsement in the race between current county attorney Andrew Thomas and challenger Tim Nelson.

"Initially, I did not have any intentions to endorse a candidate for the Maricopa County Attorney's race," said Romley in a press release. "However, this position is too important to our community. Many things are of great concern to me. I can no longer stay silent."

Today Tim Nelson formally launched his campaign to take on Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas. In his announcement used statistics from the County Public Defender's office to show that conviction rates in jury trials have fallen significantly in the last few years, from over 80% in the last year of Rick Romley's tenure to 70% last year. Governor Janet Napolitano introduced Nelson at his announcement.

Nelson also kicked off a small donor challenge in which he is challenging supporters to make a small donation ($50 or less). His goal is to get 100 small donations before Monday night at midnight.