Ex-Pima County justice of peace accused of false tax return

A former state lawmaker and Pima County justice of the peace has been indicted for making a false tax return and telling the Internal Revenue Service that luxury sports cars he bought were business expenses for his bus company.

Federal prosecutors say Keith Bee, a Republican who served in the Arizona House from 1991-92 and Arizona Senate from 1993 to 2000, is facing three counts of making a false tax return and one count of corruptly endeavoring to impede the administration.

He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment last Friday in U.S. District Court in Tucson. His trial is scheduled for Nov. 6.

The indictment states Bee falsely claimed the purchase of six cars plus construction work that included a custom garage for the vehicles were business expenses of Bee Line Transportation.

Bee didn’t run for re-election this year and retired as a county justice of the peace last month.