Staff Reports
In Arizona, a controversy has emerged over allegations of a "pay to play" scheme involving Sunshine Residential Homes and the Hobbs administration, prompting calls for investigations from various Republican officials. Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, has already initiated an investigation following concerns raised by Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope. It is alleged that Sunshine Residential Homes received higher daily pay rates per child after donating approximately $400,000 to Governor Hobbs’ campaign and the state Democratic Party.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, also a Republican, is considering opening her own investigation after being contacted by the Auditor General’s office. This has sparked a debate over whether there should be parallel investigations into the matter.
Thanks 👍
Hobbs having her AG (best buddy) investigate her instead of an outsider makes zero sense….Arizona Republicans ask Maricopa County Attorney to take Hobbs ‘pay to play’ investigation https://t.co/v13FFFUpnO
— WSCM-(it's_an_acronym) (@waltersluke74) June 12, 2024
Republican Treasurer Kimberly Yee has expressed concern about potential misuse of public funds and has called for financial accountability regarding the state’s spending. She questioned the Attorney General’s singular control over the investigation and requested a separate investigation by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, citing potential ethical conflicts of interest.
In response, Attorney General Mayes emphasized the state’s role in investigating the allegations and assured that the office would follow the facts impartially. She noted that steps have been taken to ensure fairness, including directing the Department of Child Services to seek outside counsel. Mayes defended the office’s statutory duties and maintained that the investigation falls within its scope of responsibilities.
Representative David Livingston, a Republican, suggested that Attorney General Mayes should recuse herself from the case due to alleged conflicts of interest, claiming that she has benefited from funding by the Arizona Democratic Party. Livingston also accused Mayes of mishandling a previous complaint regarding Governor Hobbs’ use of public resources, expressing concern that she might protect the Democratic Governor and her party from liability.
The Center Square reported that Mayes has urged Rachel Mitchell not to conduct her own investigation to avoid overlapping efforts. Governor Hobbs declined to answer questions about the allegations or whether she would comply with both Mayes and Mitchell should they both decide to investigate. The Attorney General’s office indicated that they would not respond to Livingston’s letter.
The situation remains fluid as Arizona officials navigate the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding the allegations, while political tensions continue to shape the course of the investigations.
