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George Johnson

Jul 31, 2020

Court rules utility regulators can take over private company

The Arizona Corporation Commission has the legal right to seize managerial control of utilities that pose a risk to public health and safety, the state Supreme Court ruled Friday. In... […]

Aug 28, 2019

Supreme Court to hear case on utility takeover

The owners of Johnson Utilities are going to get a chance to argue that the takeover of the management of the firm by state regulators is illegal.

Apr 1, 2019

APS parent company again discloses grand jury subpoenas in filing

Arizona Public Service’s parent company received federal grand jury subpoenas for documents related to the 2014 elections at least a month before APS released similar documents to the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Republicans, GOP, DeWit, Ward, election, MAGA, Trump, Lake, Hobbs, Schweikert, ballots, tabulation
Aug 20, 2018

Dispute over San Tan incorporation invites candidate to run

Michael Hernandez supports the incorporation of San Tan Valley, and Sen. David Farnsworth, a Mesa Republican, wasn’t willing to sponsor legislation to aid that goal.

Lobbyist Jim Norton, who is under indictment in a bribery scheme, leaves U.S. District Court in Phoenix on June 7, 2017.
Aug 9, 2018

Bribery case ruins careers, leaves question of larger probe

The government’s decision to drop a bribery case involving a former regulator and utility owner leaves the question of what will come of its parent investigation.

Former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce, with bottle, and wife Sherry Pierce, both of whom stand accused in a bribery scheme, leave U.S. District Court in Phoenix after their arraignment on June 7, 2017.
Aug 7, 2018

Utility bribery case dismissed

On Tuesday, prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss all charges against former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce, his wife, Sherry Pierce, lobbyist Jim Norton and utility owner George Johnson.

Jul 26, 2018

ACC to vote on taking over water company

The Arizona Corporation Commission will proceed with a vote today to install an interim manager at Johnson Utilities after the water company’s failed attempts in court to halt the appointment.

Former utility regulator Gary Pierce rushes past reporters last year following his initial court appearance. (Capitol Media Services photo by Howard Fischer)
Jul 20, 2018

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.

Jul 17, 2018

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.

Former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce, with bottle, and wife Sherry Pierce, both of whom stand accused in a bribery scheme, leave U.S. District Court in Phoenix after their arraignment on June 7, 2017.
Jul 17, 2018

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.

Jul 16, 2018

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.

Jul 13, 2018

Hearing officer recommends Corp Comm take over Johnson Utilities

A state hearing officer recommends the Arizona Corporation Commission seize control of Johnson Utilities from the current management, at least temporarily, and install its own manager.

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