Judges’ pension case linked to meaning of the word ‘benefit’
Justices on the Arizona Supreme Court on June 4 wanted a clear definition of a benefit to help them decide whether the Legislature’s 2011 cut in annual cost-of living-increases for state retirees is constitutional.
Funding formula of state pension plans in hands of AZ Supreme Court
The Arizona Supreme Court is set to hear arguments June 4 in a case that will determine the financial future of Arizona’s employee pensions. Whatever the Supreme Court decides in Fields v. Elected Officials Retirement Plan will also settle two other lawsuits sparked by SB1609, a 2011 law that overhauled state pensions, and determine whether retirees will continue to receive generous [...]
Arizona pension overhaul ruled ‘unconstitutional’
A Maricopa County Superior Court has ruled legislation that would overhaul Arizona's pension system is unconstitutional.
Thomas says Stapley ‘played fast and loose with the rules’
Former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas called politicians and judges he once prosecuted cowards and “corrupt” during testimony Wednesday in discipline hearings against him.
Aubuchon defends investigations into Maricopa judge, officials
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.
Thomas disbarment hearing gains momentum: counter-charges of misconduct and ‘piling on’
Attorney Tom Irvine was working in his law office on the afternoon of Dec. 31, 2008, when a process server dropped two lawsuits on him, filed by then-Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
Irvine, the sole witness on the third day of Thomas’ attorney disbarment hearing, described the experience of being targeted by the former county attorney.
Thomas disregarded advice, former chief deputy testifies
Andrew Thomas’ former second-in-command testified today that the ex-County Attorney disregarded his advice against prosecuting County Supervisors and proceeding with a federal racketeering lawsuit alleging a criminal conspiracy among judges and supervisors.
Retired judge feared Thomas would have him arrested
Retired Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Kenneth Fields said he was speechless when a well-dressed process server at his front door handed him a racketeering lawsuit naming him as a defendant in December 2009.
IRC budget based on experience and guesswork
The last statement James Huntwork made as a member of the first Independent Redistricting Commission in his last meeting in June 2009 was that the next IRC would need “a lot of money.”
How much money the newly seated IRC will need is a mystery.
But the thinking of those involved with the first one is that the legal disputes, which consumed so much money last time, will be[...]
After two judges backed out, Daughton got abortion case
Critics of an injunction to stop a series of abortion restrictions from taking effect are questioning how and why the case was assigned to three Maricopa County Superior Court judges. The first two judges removed themselves from hearing the case – one was vacationing out of the country and the other gave no reason. The third judge, who came out of retirement to take the case, issued an injunctio[...]