Arizona AG declines to charge Gov. Katie Hobbs over pay-to-play allegations
- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said state prosecutors will not file criminal charges against Gov. Katie Hobbs over pay-to-play allegations tied to Sunshine Residential Homes.
- Investigators found no evidence of the quid pro quo needed to support a bribery charge.
- Mayes said the rate increase given to Sunshine was tied to the company’s role as the largest provider of beds for children in foster care, not political pressure.
- Hobbs has denied wrongdoing and said she was not involved in the decision to approve the increase.
- A separate investigation by Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and the state auditor general is still ongoing.
- The case has become a political issue in Hobbs' reelection campaign, while Republicans have used it in attacks against her.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said state prosecutors will not bring criminal charges against Gov. Katie Hobbs over allegations that she benefited from a pay-to-play arrangement involving Sunshine Residential Homes. The company gave $100,000 to Hobbs' inaugural celebration and later received a state rate increase.
Mayes said investigators did not find evidence of the quid pro quo required for a bribery case. Her office concluded the increase was driven by Sunshine’s position as the largest provider of beds for children in foster care, rather than political influence.
Hobbs has denied any wrongdoing and said she was not involved in the decision. A separate investigation by Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and the state auditor general is still underway.
Mayes also said the matter points to a need for stronger transparency rules for political donations from state contractors. The issue has remained politically damaging for Hobbs as she seeks reelection, with Republicans using the allegations against her.
亚利桑那州总检察长拒绝就“利益输送”指控起诉州长凯蒂·霍布斯
亚利桑那州总检察长克里斯·梅斯表示，州检察官不会就围绕 Sunshine Residential Homes 的“利益输送”指控对州长凯蒂·霍布斯提起刑事诉讼。该公司曾向霍布斯的就职庆典捐款 10 万美元，随后获得州政府费率上调。
梅斯说，调查没有找到构成行贿案件所需的“互惠交易”证据。她的办公室认为，这次上调是因为 Sunshine 是寄养儿童床位的最大供应商，而不是受到政治影响。
霍布斯否认有任何不当行为，并表示自己没有参与这项决定。马里科帕县检察官雷切尔·米切尔和州审计长的另一项调查仍在继续。
梅斯还表示，这起事件说明有必要加强对州承包商政治捐款的透明度规定。随着霍布斯寻求连任，这一问题持续带来政治压力，共和党方面也一直借此攻击她。