In Apache County
An order of interim suspension and stay of disciplinary proceedings pending criminal proceedings has been imposed by the Arizona Presiding Disciplinary Judge on the elected Apache County Attorney
Briefly, in State Bar File No. 24-1574, Respondent, who is the elected Apache County Attorney, stipulated to an Injunction Against harassment that precludes him from, inter alia, being present at the Apache County Attorney’s Office or having contact with certain employees of the Apache County Attorney’s Office, until November 1, 2024. (St. Johns Precinct Justice Court Case Nos. J0102PO2024000050, J0102PO2024000051, J0102PO2024000052, J0102PO2024000053.) A copy of the Stipulated Order is attached hereto as Ex. A.
In State Bar File No. 24-2183, Respondent is named as a defendant in a criminal indictment that includes 7 felonies and 2 misdemeanors, all of which qualify as serious criminal conduct under Rule 54(g). (State v. Whiting, et al, Apache County Superior Court Case No. 94 SGJ 84.) A copy of the Indictment is attached hereto as Ex. B.
Arizona News reported
Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting and his wife, Joy Whiting, who serves as the county school superintendent, pleaded not guilty Thursday after a grand jury indicted them on multiple corruption-related charges.
Michael Whiting, Joy Whiting along with Michael’s aide, Daryl Greer, are accused of misusing public money and threatening a political opponent. Greer also pleaded not guilty.
“Ms. Whiting has been a civil servant, a teacher in that community for her entire career. One of the things I would say about her is that she’s done nothing but give back to that community. At this point she’s presumed innocent, we’re going to be contesting the allegations to the fullest extent,” said Jack Litwak, Joy Whiting’s attorney, during Thursday’s court appearance.
Arizona’s Family Investigates spoke with Joy Whiting’s attorney, Jack Litwak after the hearing about the charges.
“She’s done nothing but give back to the community her entire career. She’s been a teacher,” Litwak said.
“I’m going to be contesting everything. I’m going to be contesting everything,” he said in response to questions about the next steps.
Arizona’s Family Investigates also spoke with Richard Gaxiola, Greer’s attorney.
“We’re going to vigorously contest all the factual allegations contained in the indictment,” Gaxiola said.
Arizona’s Family Investigates’ Amy Cutler asked the attorney about the $10,000 in gym equipment prosecutor say Greer bought using a county credit card. That equipment, according to the indictment, was delivered to the county attorney’s office.
“I have no comment, with respect to that allegation. I have not received or reviewed any of the discovery,” Gaxiola responded.
All three appeared virtually via Zoom and remain out of jail, having been released on their own recognizance.
A state grand jury indicted Michael on several felony and misdemeanor counts that include harassment, theft, misuse of public monies, conflict of interest and stealing, destroying, altering, or secreting public records.
Joy was indicted with felony misuse of public monies and one count of conflict of interest.
Greer was indicted on four charges, including misuse of public monies, harassment, and sending a threatening or anonymous letter.
Arizona’s Family Investigates previously reported that the embattled top prosecutor had four of his staffers filed injunctions against him, claiming harassment. The injunctions stated that Whiting and two of his employees started driving by their homes after they called on him to resign. It happened after investigators executed a search warrant on Whiting’s home and office.
Both Whitings continue to run for re-election unopposed in their respective office.
All three are due back in court in late September.
AZ Central had the story of the relations with office employees
They are afraid of him.
His top three prosecutors and his chief of staff in June sought orders of protection from their boss.
They accused Whiting and two of his underlings of spying, stalking and harassment. They said he had them followed, sent people to spy on their homes and surveilled them at work.
The prosecutors also called for Whiting to resign. He has said he won’t resign and is fighting the injunctions in court.
And his interest in a Norweigan pop star
Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting has an obsession he’s kept from voters for years.
The top prosecutor has lived a double life as a fanboy of a Norwegian pop star and has used his office to further his relationship with her and other fans.
An investigation by The Arizona Republic found Whiting took anti-bullying campaign materials paid for by taxpayers on overseas trips to meet singer-songwriter Dagny.
The campaign material is tied to a state corruption probe of Whiting, who has been locked out of his office since June.
Whiting didn’t just take anti-bullying T-shirts and gift bags with him to Europe — he also made fun of them.
…In his own words, Dagny’s music has “truly” changed his life. And he has spent years idolizing her.
Whiting has posted dozens of comments on fan pages — along with terms and emojis of endearment— about the singer. He once used the Apache County attorney’s office to broadcast a special birthday message to her.
He has praised her online as the “the queen,” “chic,” and “angel.”
(Mike Frisch)