An Arizona state representative has filed a complaint with the state’s attorney general requesting an investigation of Governor Katie Hobbs’s alleged use of state funds to sway elections.
Republican state representative David Livingston filed the complaint on June 14, requesting an investigation of the Democratic governor after seeking a legal opinion from Arizona attorney general Kristin Mayes in March.
Mayes, a Democrat, declined the request.
In his initial request, Livingston said he needed Mayes’s guidance regarding state law and whether it allowed the governor-elect to raise money for political groups “that make expenditures to influence elections through a state website promoting inaugural events.”
“The attorney general declined to provide a legal opinion, stating there were factual questions that made the issue inappropriate for a legal opinion,” Livingston said in a statement on June 14.
In the complaint, Livingston argued that Mayes has “express statutory authority” to investigate potential violations of state law under Title 16.
Livingston said Mayes “invoked this authority earlier this year when she filed an unsuccessful lawsuit against Cochise County, citing concerns that without taking legal action, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors might hide actions that should be done publicly in compliance with Arizona’s open meeting law,” Livingston wrote.
Livingston said he is “deeply concerned” about the legality of Hobbs’s political fundraising through a state website that promoted the governor-elect’s inaugural events.
In her letter, Mayes declined Livingston’s request, given “factual disputes” regarding the matter.
The website reportedly contained links to a “Katie Hobbs Inauguration Fund,” “Learn more about contributions and sponsorships,” and a link for those who wanted to donate to the 2023 inauguration through her campaign staff member, Rose Huerta.
Livingston’s complaint alleges that Hobbs used the state website to raise money for the Arizona Democratic Party and the Katie Hobbs Inaugural Fund, a nonprofit entity.
The complaint states that records show the Inaugural Fund paid $17,000 to the Elias Law Group. This firm represented Hobbs in her role as a contestant in the 2022 gubernatorial election complaint filed by her Republican opponent, Kari Lake.
Contested Election
Lake has filed numerous lawsuits and legal challenges since the Nov. 8 general election, facing legal sanction in some cases.In the complaint, Livingston argued that records would aid in determining if the Inauguration Fund paid legal fees to “find a legitimate legal purpose, or instead to influence the governor’s election after procuring those funds through the state website,” violating state law.
As of Feb. 16, the Inaugural Fund balance was over $868,000, according to the complaint.
One exhibit in the complaint includes a March 20 letter from Livingston to the Elias Law Group responding to Livingston’s supplement request for documents and information.
The law firm wrote that “producing documents and additional information you seek would set a dangerous precedent for those on both sides of the political aisle and for constitutionally protected speech and associational rights in Arizona.”
The Epoch Times could not immediately reach either Hobbs or Mayes for comment.
In the meantime, Livingston wrote he wanted answers, adding the “unprecedented use of state resources must be promptly investigated.”
