Democratic congressional candidate Bernadette Greene-Placentia says two men raped her while she was repairing a damaged campaign sign near 99th Avenue and Bell Road in Sun City. She told Phoenix New Times that one of the men struck her over the head during the assault; she did not seek medical attention afterward, despite bruising and vaginal bleeding that lasted three days.
What Is Known About the Reported Assault
Greene-Placentia reported the assault to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office two weeks later, according to Phoenix New Times. The office is investigating. A figure identified as Dave Moyer declined to comment on the investigation's status.
Arizona Guidance on Reporting After an Assault
A 2016 report by the Arizona Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit Task Force said timely reporting may help facilitate an investigation, but the decision to report rests with the victim. The guidance discusses medical forensic exams and evidence collection, including exams within five days in Arizona and follow-up care around two weeks after an assault.
Before contacting law enforcement, Greene-Placentia told campaign staff about the assault on a Sunday and her husband, Alex Placentia, the following day. The Phoenix New Times account also says she had confided in state Rep. Stephanie Simacek over coffee in early September and spoke with Greg Freeman, secretary of the state Democratic Party, for nearly 45 minutes after the attack.
Nights Spent Fixing Campaign Signs Across The District
Greene-Placentia, a longtime long-haul trucker and first-time candidate, was maintaining more than 250 campaign signs across the district, according to the Phoenix New Times report. She said she sometimes made 30 to 40 repair stops in a night. The reported assault occurred while she was out repairing a sign in Sun City.
After Greene-Placentia disclosed the assault, her campaign sent her home to rest and recuperate; she has since stopped repairing signs herself. The Phoenix New Times account reported that campaign staff held a meeting at a gun range. Craig Beckman, cited in the report, said the assault was not Greene-Placentia's fault.
Her Campaign and the District
Greene-Placentia spoke publicly about the assault. She and her husband moved to the district in 2017, but 2023 redistricting placed their Surprise home 1.6 miles outside Congressional District 8, which now stretches across north Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Sun City and Anthem. According to the Phoenix New Times account, Alex Placentia called her several times from Surprise after learning of the attack; she stayed at her Sun City apartment afterward and did not seek medical care.
Greene-Placentia is challenging Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh in a race where campaign finances have been lopsided. Her campaign had raised roughly $209,000 as of the most recent FEC filings cited by KTAR, compared with more than $1 million for Hamadeh, while a separate Palm Beach Post account put her fundraising at about $200,000, with roughly a tenth of that spent. The general election is set for Nov. 3, with early voting beginning Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Arizona law defines sexual assault as intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with another person without consent, under Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1406. No suspects, arrests or charges have been reported in connection with the Sun City assault, and the sheriff's office investigation remains ongoing.
