An FBI investigation into alleged public corruption is underway, targeting a Chandler City Council member and a former president of the city's law enforcement association. According to an email obtained by Arizona's Family Investigates, former Police Chief Sean Duggan notified City Manager Joshua Wright about possible federal law violations by Councilmember Jane Poston and Officer Michael Collins, once head of the Chandler Law Enforcement Association.
In a statement given to ABC15, Poston addressed an internal city email from Nov. 8, 2023, that pointed to her as a subject of the FBI probe. "No one from any investigative agency has contacted me," Poston said. "Based on the complete lack of evidence, I decided to treat this as the unfounded rumor I believe it to be."
The Chandler city spokesperson affirmed that the city holds no knowledge of the alleged investigation detailing that the subject matter involves two private entities — a business, and a police union. Furthermore, the spokesperson noted that while current city officials are aware of the email's existence, none have been approached about an investigation.
Jane Poston, elected to the city council in 2023, owns J2 Media, a firm providing video and public relations services, which has been linked to the law enforcement association for several years. Despite undergoing a double mastectomy on Jan. 25, due to breast cancer, Poston did not initially respond to inquiries regarding her business's ties with the police union but later told ABC15 that she would address those questions once she returns to the office, potentially by the following week. Officer Collins remains a member of the Chandler Police Department, however, is no longer listed on the association's board, according to the Chandler Law Enforcement Association's website.
The FBI, as per their standard practice has not commented on the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, the Chandler Law Enforcement Association has been unresponsive to media attempts for comment. In this continually developing story, scrutiny rests upon the interactions between public service and private enterprise, focused sharply on Councilmember Jane Poston and her connection with the police union through her company’s dealings.
