Robes and gavels were a large part of Arizona’s political scene in 2011. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a landmark election law case that came out of the state and agreed to hear SB1070. The state Supreme Court resolved conflicts involving the Independent Redistricting Commission and trial courts were busy with lawsuits contesting cuts to Medicaid and the candidacy of a Mesa woman in the recall election of former Senate President Russell Pearce.

Attorneys seeking the disbarment of former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and one of his deputies say in written closing arguments filed today that no other penalty for the former prosecutors will repair the damage they caused.

“About a year after Thomas assumed office as County Attorney, it became clear that he had lost all objectivity about his role as a lawyer and as County Attorney,” Gleason wrote.

Almost 11 years ago to the day, Thomas Zlaket was the chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court and he apologized to the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments for being unable to free them of the high-profile political duty of creating the pool of potential IRC members.

The unprecedented nature of the discipline proceedings against former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas’ actions kept viewers in law offices and government buildings throughout the Valley glued to the live webcast on the Arizona Supreme Court’s website for 26 days.

Lawyers for former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and two of his former deputies rested their cases Wednesday in discipline proceedings.

The answers provided by former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and his deputy Lisa Aubuchon during three days of testimony this week maintained a consistent theme: It was nothing personal.

Former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas called politicians and judges he once prosecuted cowards and “corrupt” during testimony Wednesday in discipline hearings against him.

Former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas defended failed investigations that he and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office launched into county officials as necessary for rooting out corruption.

A former prosecutor who teamed up with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to make failed criminal cases against three county officials is scheduled to testify Wednesday about his role in pressing cases that critics say were trumped up.

Former Deputy County Attorney Lisa Aubuchon never wavered during testimony today from her belief that filing criminal charges and a racketeering suit against County Supervisors and judges feuding with Andrew Thomas was legally justified.