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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.
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.
AG takes over probe of utility owner’s alleged threat against town official
Indicted water utility owner George Johnson is now being investigated by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office for allegedly threatening the Florence town manager, Brent Billingsley.
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.
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.
Bribery trial jury hears from first defendant
Sherry Pierce says she had no idea she was doing work on behalf of water utility owner George Johnson while she was employed by KNB Consulting and her husband sat on the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Defense says government short on proof in bribery trial
Defense attorneys in the so-called “Ghost Lobby” trial said “normal folks” might not find the activities of the defendants acceptable, but the government failed to prove corruption was their driving force.
Defense attacks credibility of star-witness Kelly Norton in bribery trial
Kelly Norton was back on the stand in the “Ghost Lobby” trial Tuesday, this time under cross examination by a defense team intent on distorting her credibility in the eyes of the jury.
Kelly Norton: ‘I wanted to keep copies of everything just in case’
Kelly Norton reviewed extensive records she kept in the midst of that scheme to protect herself if – and ultimately when – the authorities came looking for answers.
Star witness testifies in bribery case
The government’s star witness in the “Ghost Lobby” trial, Kelly Norton, took the stand on Wednesday, visibly nervous at the head of a crowded courtroom hanging on her testimony.
Array of Arizona politicians, lobbyists connected to bribery case
The bribery trial of a former regulator, a utility owner and a lobbyist has tentacles that stretch to many others in Arizona’s political universe – some more than others.
Bribery case witness list includes elected officials past and present
The witness list for the bribery case against Gary and Sherry Pierce, Jim Norton and George Johnson is a who’s who of Arizona politics.
