Sen. Jack Harper, R-4, who is conducting a recount investigation as chairman of the Government Accountability and Reform Committee, told Arizona Capitol Times he has no deal with a computer expert or New Times as to whom receives the results first. As soon as he receives it, it becomes public record, he said.
Douglas Jones, the Iowa University computer professor hired by New Times to conduct tests on voting machines used in the 2004 District 20 House primary recount told Capitol Media Services he would release his findings to New Times first.
So who owns the report, which will detail Mr. Jones’ findings from a two-hour test of a voting machine used in the recount?
Senate President Ken Bennett, R-1, says the public does.
“This is why I didn’t support a media outlet or any external source” funding Mr. Jones’ work, he said. “I think it should be a public report as soon as it’s available.”
Barnett Lotstein, a special assistant to County Attorney Andrew Thomas, who is expected to oppose Mr. Harper’s motion in Superior Court next month to gain access to the recount ballots, said New Times does not belong in the recount investigation.
“There is no precedent whatsoever for a media outlet to bankroll an official government investigation,” he said. “This raises serious legal and ethical questions, especially for a newspaper with a preconceived agenda, which is obvious from their previous articles.”
Rick Barrs, editor of New Times, denounced Mr. Lotstein’s statement.
That’s complete bull from “a complete idiot,” Mr. Barrs said. “You can quote me on that.”
He said media outlets commonly hire consultants to help with stories, adding that New Times owns Mr. Jones’ report and has the right to publish it first. “And after that, it will be in the paper. We’re not going to give everybody the report.”
Mr. Bennett said Mr. Harper advised him he had secured private funding for his investigation and might have mistakenly thought “that secured my approval.”
He said he did not support Mr. Harper’s dealings with New Times and advised him to “have a private meeting with county elections folks, but Jack didn’t support that.”