Michael Whiting, a prosecutor from Apache County, Arizona, faces issues just days before an unopposed election. The Apache County Board of Supervisors has decided not to pay him due to charges of misusing public funds. This decision, announced on Thursday, halts his salary, and the State Bar of Arizona suspended his law license the following day, as reported by FOX 10.
Whiting is accused of misusing nearly $80,000 in superintendent funds to purchase a new pickup truck mainly for his own use. He and his wife, "Joy," have pleaded not guilty to these charges, according to FOX 10. If he wins reelection, his suspended license could prevent him from serving.
Michael Whiting and his attorney, Bruce Griffen, did not comment on the county board's decision. Whiting faces eight additional charges, including theft, altering public records, and threatening an election opponent of his wife, the county’s school superintendent. Despite these legal issues, he was the only candidate for the county attorney position, which he has held since 2008. However, recent developments have introduced two write-in challengers, complicating his path to reelection, as stated by AP News.
