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Recent Articles from Luige del Puerto
New witnesses to testify in Cortes lawsuit
A judge has scheduled a Friday hearing to allow new witnesses to testify in a lawsuit that seeks to disqualify the candidacy of a Mesa woman whose critics say is in the race to help Senate President Russell Pearce keep his seat. Election Attorney Thomas Ryan, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of a Pearce critic, plans to call more witnesses during a 3:30 p.m. evidentiary hearing.
More delays in Bundgaard ethics trial
The trial involving whether Sen. Scott Bundgaard breached ethical rules could be pushed back to next year, when the legislative session starts.
Sen. Ron Gould, chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, said the committee needs to resolve a request by a Democratic senator who is asking the committee to adopt a less-stringent burden of proof in investigating Bundgaard.
Judge: Cortes was recruited by Pearce allies, but she stays on ballot
A judge ruled today that the Mesa woman accused of being a “diversionary” candidate in the recall election targeting Senate President Russell Pearce was clearly recruited by Pearce’s supporters but that he cannot kick her off the ballot.
State budget revenue up $80M in August
Major economic indicators in Arizona point to a steady recovery, although some bumps remain.
Revenues in August grew by 8.6 percent, buoyed by strong showings in sales and individual income taxes.
SOS investigates pro-Cortes signs; Mesa removes them
Republican Olivia Cortes’ admission in court yesterday that she doesn’t own the pro-Cortes campaign signs in Mesa and nobody knows who paid for them compelled the city to take them down.
Lewis campaign attacks Pearce on Cortes, Fiesta Bowl, fiscal issues
Jerry Lewis’ camp has finally launched an attack on Senate President Russell Pearce, initially firing off a letter that sarcastically welcomed Republican Olivia Cortes to the recall race.
Cortes testifies she’s unaware of recall campaign machinery
Republican Olivia Cortes is challenging one of the most powerful politicians in Arizona, but the political neophyte testified in court today that she doesn’t have full control over her campaign and doesn’t know who paid circulators to gather many of the signatures she needed to qualify for the ballot.
Attorney: Cortes lawsuit will continue despite sent ballots
The attorney who is seeking to disqualify Republican Olivia Cortes from the recall election in Mesa is moving ahead with the lawsuit even though ballots have already been printed and some have been sent to a handful of voters.
The lawsuit alleges that Cortes is a part of a “cynical ploy” to divert votes from another candidate in order to help incumbent Senate President Russell Pearc[...]
Bundgaard’s complaint dismissed
Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs on Tuesday summarily dismissed the counter-complaint that Sen. Scott Bundgaard, R-Peoria, filed against three members of the ethics committee. “I have reviewed your complaint,” Biggs wrote in a letter to Bundgaard. “... I find that the allegations do not constitute conduct that is unethical under the rules. Therefore, the complaint is dismissed.”
Bundgaard ethics investigation postponed
The inquiry into whether Sen. Scott Bundgaard breached ethical rules involving his roadside fight with an ex-girlfriend has been put on hold pending the resolution of a separate complaint he filed against three members of the ethics panel.
A New Direction: Cracking down on illegals is losing luster in down economy
With another election season fast approaching, border security remains a priority, but many lawmakers and political insiders say support for local immigration-enforcement measures appears to be waning. The prevailing mood is that lawmakers might not have the appetite to wage emotionally draining battles over illegal immigration at a time when the state faces a more immediate menace — a saggin[...]
Lawsuit filed against Cortes; claims she’s a ‘fraudulent” candidate
An East Valley resident today accused Republican Olivia Cortes of being part of a “cynical ploy” to dilute the vote against Senate President Russell Pearce, who is facing a Nov. 8 recall election. In her complaint filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, Mary Lou Boettcher alleges that Cortes is a Pearce supporter and called her a “fraudulent and diversionary candidate.”
