The Arizona State Attorney General’s office said it will be opening an investigation into Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs for reportedly being involved in a “pay to play” scheme.
The investigation follows a report revealed a government-funded children’s group home company donated $100,000 to the Democratic governor.
The group home was reportedly later given more funding from the Arizona government, after a previous denial to receive the funds.
“The Criminal Division of the Attorney General’s Office is statutorily authorized to investigate the allegations and offenses outlined in your letter. To that end, the Attorney General’s Office will be opening an investigation,” a letter sent from Arizona AG Kris Mayes’ office read.
AZ Central reported that in February 2023, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) denied a 20 percent rate increase to Sunshine Residential Homes and just a few days later, Sunshine Residential Homes donated $100,000 to Hobbs.
Sunshine allegedly later received a 30 percent rate increase from DCS, although Arizona is putting fewer children in group homes.
“Just like past investigations instigated by radical and partisan legislators, the administration will be cleared of wrongdoing,” Hobbs spokesperson Christian Slater said in response to the allegations. “It would be outrageous to suggest her administration would not do what’s right for children in foster care.”
In August 2023, American Faith reported that conservative group Arizona Capitol Oversight released emails revealing that Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs asked Twitter to censor her critics.
“Many takedown requests submitted by Hobbs’s office were not related to public safety, governance, or election administration but rather served to suppress valid criticism and improve her political posture ahead of announcing her campaign for governor,” the report said.
The report described a 2017 tweet from Hobbs where she compared Trump supporters to neo-Nazis, later resulting in widespread criticism and questions as to whether she was able to fulfill her responsibility to “fairly administer the 2020 election as secretary of state.”