Navarrete maintains innocence, family testifies in trial
Former state Sen. Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete is currently on trial for a series of sexual crimes against children, which his attorney maintains he did not commit.
Detective details investigation in trial of slain kids’ mom
An Idaho detective says an investigation that resulted in a triple murder charge against Lori Vallow Daybell all started with a request from Gilbert police, who wanted help finding a Jeep.
Texas man pleads guilty to role in $1.6M romance scam plot
A Texas man has pleaded guilty to his role in a romance scam in which women from Arizona and other parts of the country were cheated out of a total of about $1.6 million by someone often pretending to be a U.S. Army general.
Judge dismisses federal claims in ousted lawmaker’s lawsuit
A federal judge late Friday threw out charges by former state Rep. Don Shooter that his civil rights were violated by an investigation that resulted in his ouster last year from the state House.
Government to decide whether to re-try bribery case after mistrial
Gary Pierce and his fellow co-defendants aren’t off the hook yet, despite the government’s failed attempt to convince a jury they were part of a scheme to bribe the former utility regulator.
Majority of jurors in bribery trial voted for acquittal
A majority of the jurors in the “Ghost Lobby” trial voted for acquittal for all four defendants, foreperson Taryn Jeffries said in an exclusive interview with the Arizona Capitol Times.
Bribery trial ends with deadlocked jury
After just about three and a half days of deliberation, 12 jurors could not reach a unanimous decision in the “Ghost Lobby” trial, and U.S. District Court Judge John Tuchi declared a mistrial.
Defense in bribery trial wants jurors grilled about notes
The admission by a juror in the Corporation Commission bribery trial that she made some notes at home and brought them to deliberations could lead to a new trial even after all the testimony has been heard.
Trial ends with defendants’ claim work was lawful, not bribery
Arizona’s most significant public corruption case since the 1988 impeachment of Gov. Evan Mecham has come down to this: Four defendants. Fourteen days of testimony. Nearly four dozen witnesses.
Jury hears closing arguments in bribery trial
The so-called “Ghost Lobby” trial was the summer blockbuster no juror bought a ticket to see.
Judge’s decision in bribery trial opens door on larger probe
Gayle Burns will be allowed to testify in the so-called “Ghost Lobby” trial after U.S. District Court Judge John Tuchi determined the defense had opened the door to her testimony.
Utility executive: Sherry Pierce hired for her connections to Pinal County, not bribe
Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Battista says it was lobbyist Jim Norton’s “strong suggestion” that led to the flow of money from a utility owner to the pockets of a utility regulator.