Attorney General Mark Brnovich told the Arizona Capitol Times today that his office will likely ask to withdraw its petition with the Arizona Supreme Court next week.

A months-long siege on Arizona’s energy regulatory agency by a nonprofit funded by renewable energy interests is forcing the state’s top regulator onto the edge of a political precipice.

Brnovich is asking the Supreme Court to remove Commissioner Bitter Smith from office, arguing she is ineligible to hold it due to her affiliations with entities that are regulated, either directly or indirectly, by the Corp Comm. Brnovich said his office believes the case against Bitter Smith is “straightforward” and the facts aren’t in dispute.

Politics has led to the discipline of a state Department of Education manager.

Attorney Tom Ryan filed an official complaint today with Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office to remove Corporation Commissioner Susan Bitter Smith from office.

A prominent lawyer is seeking the removal of energy regulator Susan Bitter Smith from the Arizona Corporation Commission and is set to formally accuse the commissioner of violating the state’s conflict of interest statutes.

In November 2010, the citizens of Arizona passed Proposition 203, thereby establishing a medical marijuana program. Despite many delays, Arizona is now in the process of awarding licenses to nearly 100 new dispensary operators. Yet as patients eagerly anticipate regulated cannabis, they find themselves in the crosshairs of a political battle they should not have to fight.

Despite a judge’s ruling, Secretary of State Ken Bennett may still be able to sidestep Attorney General Tom Horne in the campaign finance case against the AG and a top staffer.

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge expressed skepticism over the county attorney’s authority to pursue alleged campaign finance violations by Attorney General Tom Horne, putting the future of the case in question as the state’s top law enforcement officer and a key aide prepare to fight the charges in court.

As the FBI ramped up its investigation into Tom Horne last year, Secretary of State Ken Bennett scrambled to get legislation passed that would allow him to bypass the Attorney General’s Office and seek outside legal counsel.