Attorney General Kris Mayes on fake electors, abortion and more

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Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss a number of topics. A group of 11 alleged fake electors have all been indicted by a grand jury, though they have pled not guilty.

We also discussed the Arizona ban on nearly all abortions as well as the investigation into Governor Katie Hobbs’ alleged pay-for-play scheme with Sunshine Residential Homes.

And the Attorney General’s office has filed a pair of lawsuits against Amazon, alleging its business practices were deceptive and its prices inflated.

Mayes has sued the Governor and Legislature to stop them from sweeping $150 million of the state’s opioid settlement fund, which is supposed to go towards helping the opioid and fentanyl crisis, towards preventing future addictions, treatments, buying Narcan and saving lives. 

Mayes believes the money spent on opioids was not used properly, and the case was unsuccessful. 

“This is really important. I think it’s important for the state of Arizona, and I unfortunately had to sue essentially the Governor and the legislature to try to stop them from sweeping $150 million of the state’s opioid settlement funds, which are supposed to go to help us address the opioid and fentanyl crisis to prevent future addiction to treat folks,” said Mayes. 

According to Mayes, the investigation for Sunshine Residential Homes and their relationship with the Governor is a misuse of taxpayer dollars that citizens pay for. 

“I think it’s a waste of taxpayer dollars on her part. She can do that if she wants to, but I don’t think her office is actually very well suited to do this kind of investigation. As soon as Senator T.J. Shope referred this over to our office, I immediately said that we would move forward with the investigation of this particular situation involving the Governor,” said Mayes. 

The fake electors case will be ready to go in October, but motions could push the case back longer. 

“I do anticipate plea agreements. We have a fantastic and very well regarded criminal division chief who’s handling this case. There will be motions that are filed over the next few months. We’ll be ready for trial in October. We don’t really think the trial will happen in October because of all the motions that are going to be filed,” said Mayes. 

In Arizona, there are some laws about abortion that’s causing people to be confused. 

Mayes stated, “We are still living under a 15-week abortion ban with no exceptions. Doctors in the emergency rooms are literally having to call their lawyers and ask them, ‘Am I going to get prosecuted if I try to save this woman’s life?’”

Kris Mayes, Arizona Attorney General

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