Sheila Polk

Marijuana By Itself Not a Significant Factor in Fatal and Injury Crashes in 2012, DPS Data Shows

Pot by itself was not much of a factor in injury and fatal crashes probed last year by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Fewer than 1 percent of suspected impaired drivers involved in such crashes tested positive for nothing but marijuana. New Times' findings, based on a records request sat ... More >>

Will the Feds Ever Shut Down Arizona's Medical-Marijuana Dispensary Industry?

As our colleague Ray Stern pointed out yesterday, it was not even a year ago that Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk declared the feds would shut down every medical-marijuana dispensary in Arizona "as it opens."Stern called bull on Polk's claims at the time, and as you can tell at this point -- sin ... More >>

Sheila Polk Was Wrong: 16 Medical-Pot Dispensaries Now Open in AZ and Not Being Shut Down by Feds

Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk announced in dramatic fashion last July that federal authorities would shut down every medical-marijuana dispensary in Arizona "as it opens." Polk made the bad prediction in a letter she penned and sent to the governor after getting several other county attorneys ... More >>

Michelle Yee, State Lawmaker, Wants to Give Cops the Right to Destroy Seized Medical Pot -- Even if Cops Seized it Illegally

Arizona police would have the right to destroy medical marijuana seized in investigations under a proposed law -- even if the police seizures were made improperly or illegally. State Senator Kimberly Yee, R-Phoenix, hasn't actually introduced a bill yet at the State Capitol, apparently preferring t ... More >>

Authorities Subvert Voters, Continue Medical Pot War

Zonka Bar Bust: Arizona's Anti-Pot Zealots Throw Medical-Marijuana Entrepreneurs in Jail

Chris Martin had an idea for a business in Arizona, where voters passed a law that legalizes medical-marijuana "edibles" under certain conditions. Last year, the Zonka Bar was born: Available in chocolate, sugar-free peanut butter and other flavors, and infused with marijuana extract. Like other ed ... More >>

"Bath Salts" and "Spice" Sales Are Not Banned in Yavapai County

Despite what the Yavapai County Attorney's Office is saying, the sales of "bath salts" and "spice" have not been banned in the county.Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk sure isn't the first to announce that a ban on "bath salts" or "spice" has been enacted around here -- the Legislature tried this ... More >>

"Bath Salts" Tales From Yavapai County: "That's the Car That Raped My (Imaginary) Daughter"

See also: Bath Salts: Our Told-Ya-So Moments on "Ban" ContinueSee also: Naked Men in Tempe High on Bath Salts: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3It appears that Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk may have found a way to ban the sale of all the synthetic drugs known as "bath salts" or "spice."The Legislatur ... More >>

Sheriff Scott Mascher's Letter to Governor Jan Brewer Contains Discredited Info on US Attorney's Intentions; Same as Sheila Polk's

See Also: Sheila Polk's Letter to Brewer Misstates AZ U.S. Attorney's Position on Medical Marijuana See Also: Medical Marijuana Dispensary Lottery Coming Tuesday, and Will Be Streamed Live Online A letter about medical marijuana to Governor Jan Brewer by Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher, and ... More >>

Sheila Polk's Letter to Brewer Misstates AZ U.S. Attorney's Position on Medical Marijuana

See also:Bill Montgomery and Sheila Polk Probed Whether Prop 203 was Constitutional See also: Judge Orders Arizona to Implement Medical Marijuana Act, Tosses Out Four Rules for Dispensary Applicants Is the new Arizona U.S. Attorney, John Leonardo, going to shut down medical marijuana dispensaries ... More >>

Do You Think There Was a "Reasonable Belief" of Convicting Mark Mitchell?

Yesterday, we brought you the letter from Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk, explaining to Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery why no charges will be filed against Tempe Mayor-elect Mark Mitchell.Aside from the "absence of a reasonable belief of probable conviction," Polk also notes Mitchell ... More >>

Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk: No "Reasonable Belief" of Convicting Mark Mitchell

We got a copy of the letter from Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk, explaining to Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery why no charges will be filed against Tempe Mayor-elect Mark Mitchell.Aside from the "absence of a reasonable belief of probable conviction," Polk also notes Mitchell's age at ... More >>

Mark Mitchell Case Forwarded to Yavapai County Attorney, Likely Because Bill Montgomery's a Michael Monti Fan

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery -- who's publicly endorsed Tempe mayoral candidate Michael Monti -- transferred the case involving allegations against Monti's opponent, Tempe Councilman Mark Mitchell, to Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk.The case, as we wrote about yesterday, involves a w ... More >>

Andy Thomas Needs a Perp Walk With His Papi, Sheriff Joe Arpaio

Andrew Thomas and Sheriff Joe Arpaio's "Unholy Collaboration" Abused Justice - Yet Arpaio's Skating Toward Re-Election

If the state Supreme Court had a disciplinary panel for sheriffs, Joe Arpaio would in all likelihood be stripped of his ability to practice law enforcement.Yet Arpaio continues to skate toward re-election despite his role in many of the same actions that got his former ally, ex-Maricopa County ... More >>

Analysis: Sheriff Arpaio Lied in 2009 About SCA Scandal and Still Won't Tell the Truth

In July of 2009, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio issued a bald-faced lie to the media when he claimed the SCA scandal "has absolutely nothing to do with the Sheriff's Office." He knew it did. But even worse, Arpaio still hasn't explained why he didn't take action against his top aides in late 2 ... More >>

Andy Thomas and Company Continue to Get Eviscerated At Disciplinary Hearings

Testimony continues this morning at the Thomas/Aubuchon/Alexander disciplinary hearings at the Arizona Supreme Court in downtown Phoenix.Andrew Peyton Thomas: Career in tatters​Lisa Aubuchon, a onetime top assistant to former Maricopa County Attorney, is expected to take the stand at the hearing i ... More >>

Joe Arpaio Dissembles on the Stand in Andrew Thomas Disciplinary Hearing

Maricopa County's own Teflon Don, under oath and unable to recall...In a performance worthy of a Mafia don, Sheriff Joe Arpaio dissembled under oath today in a disciplinary hearing for disgraced former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, and Thomas' ex-underlings, former Deputy County Attorneys ... More >>

The Feds Have Evidence That Joe Arpaio Broke the Law -- When Will The Indictments Come?

Don Stapley Case Dropped by Gila County Prosecutor; Thomas and Aubuchon "Abdicated" Roles as Fair Prosecutors

  Don Stapley, county supervisor, is no longer under the threat of criminal prosecution.​Maricopa County Supervisor has escaped a second criminal case levelled at him by Sheriff Joe Arpaio and former County Attorney Andrew Thomas. Gila County Attorney Daisy Flores has decided not to&nb ... More >>

Joe Arpaio Not Out of Loop According To Latest Attorney General Docs

Arpaio out of the loop? Not a chanceWell, here's some fresh proof that Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu's Munnell memo report is a complete whitewash, and that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was, is and always will be in complete control of his agency. While he's still sheriff, that is.Today Ariz ... More >>

Don Stapley Wins Victory in 2008 Criminal Case; Appeals Court Rules Supervisor had No Financial Disclosure Requirement

Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley won his 2008 criminal case today in the state Court of Appeals.​ The Arizona Court of Appeals has agreed that Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley did not violate any financial disclosure law, ending a tainted criminal case against him. The ruling today ... More >>

Bill Montgomery and Sheila Polk Probed Whether Prop 203 was Constitutional

Bill Montgomery​ Back in December, medical marijuana foes Bill Montgomery and Sheila Polk, county attorneys for Maricopa and Yavapai, respectively, quietly explored whether or not Proposition 203 could be declared unconstitutional. An e-mail sent to the Arizona Department of Health Services o ... More >>

Holocaust Studies Led Sheila Polk, Yavapai County Attorney, to Publicly Condemn Andrew Thomas and Joe Arpaio, Magazine Opines

​ When Sheila Polk, Yavapai County Attorney, considered what former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and Sheriff Joe Arpaio were doing back in 2009, Nazi Germany came to mind. At least, that's the implication in an article in this month's American Bar Association magazine, anyw ... More >>

Mary Rose Wilcox Case: "Utter Lack of Motive or Evidence" of Crimes, Gila County Attorney Concludes

Daisy Flores: Charges aren't warranted against Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox​ Mary Rose Wilcox, one of five members of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, didn't disclose her business interests to the public like she should have, that much is clear. But multiple felonies? ... More >>

Tom Horne, Andy Thomas Bloody Each Other in Horizon Debate

If you missed the "Clean Elections" Republican state Attorney General debate last night on Horizon between state schools superintendent Tom Horne and former Maricopa County Attorney Andy Thomas, it was a real cage fight. I'm surprised blood didn't spatter the TV screen. Fortunately, if yo ... More >>

Mary Rose Wilcox Files Notice of Claim Against Arpaio, Thomas, Hendershott, and Aubuchon

Mary Rose Wilcox​The lawsuits just keep coming.Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox and her husband, Earl, today filed a notice of claim against Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Chief Deputy David Hendershott, former County Attorney Andrew Thomas, deputy county attorney Lisa Aubuchon, and both the sheri ... More >>

Lisa Aubuchon Drove Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas' Political Prosecutions -- Now the Feds May Have Them Both In Their Crosshairs

Satan and Jesus, Sorry! Here Are Our Predictions About Who Won't Get Named Maricopa County Attorney

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will choose an interim replacement for departed County Attorney Andrew Thomas in a few days. ​  Here's some predictions about who won't get the gig: 1. SATAN: Left, in photo. 2. JESUS: Right, in photo. 3.. BILL MONTGOMERY: Andy Thomas clone ... More >>

Tom Horne Says Maricopa County Was "Oppressive Environment" Under Andrew Thomas' Reign as County Attorney

Arizona schools chief Tom Horne had some choice words for Andrew Thomas on KTAR last night. ​Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is wasting no time in attacking his GOP primary opponent for attorney general, Maricopa County's former brown-bashing county attorney, Andrew Thomas.Thomas qu ... More >>

Don Stapley Solicits for More Legal Defense Funds; Alleged Crimes of County Supervisor Still Being Reviewed

  ​ It may seem like Don Stapley's troubles are about over, but Stapley sure doesn't think so. The embattled chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors mailed a new fundraising letter two weeks ago to his friends and acquaintances, begging for big bucks to counter  ... More >>

County Attorney Andrew Thomas Fooled Us Twice With So-Called "Independent" Prosecutors — Shouldn't That Be Enough?

Ruth McGregor Assigns Special Prosecutors Issue to Yuma Judge; County Answers Andrew Thomas' Belatedly Served Court Complaint

  Image: Yuma County Judge Andrew Gould, you've just entered the Twilight Zone...​A couple more turns of the screw to report this morning on the county front: 1. Former Arizona Chief Justice Ruth McGregor -- a retiree who just returned from an out-of-country trip -- ruled that a ... More >>

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Is "Disappointed" In County Attorney Andrew Thomas' Prosecutors. Seriously.

Apparently, prosecutors thought that calling Chief Deputy David Hendershott to testify would NOT help their case. Smart prosecutors.​In a press release issued last week, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office expressed "disappointment" with the fact that witnesses friendly to the sheriff, including ... More >>

Video Clips, Links From Sheila Polk's Bombshell Testimony in Hearing to Disqualify Andrew Thomas

Earlier this week, Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk took the stand to testify about her dealings with Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The testimony was ostensibly about the criminal case against County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox -- Wilcox's lawyer, Colin Campbell, ... More >>

Andrew Thomas, Sheila Polk Testify in Hearing to Disqualify the Maricopa County Attorney from Prosecuting Mary Rose Wilcox Case

Andrew Thomas yesterday took the stand to defend his office's handling of the case against Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox.​In a hearing yesterday that stretched to more than four hours, both Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk shared their perspectives ... More >>

Lisa Aubuchon Admitted to Advising Sheriff While Case Was With "Independent" Prosecutor

The latest revelations from Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk surely had Lady Justice weeping -- or maybe even cutting herself.​ Yesterday's court proceedings examining the question of whether the Maricopa County Attorney's Office must be removed from prosecuting Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox cont ... More >>

Andrew Thomas and Sheila Polk Scheduled to Testify Together Next Week in Mary Rose Wilcox Case

​ A judge on Wednesday cleared the way for a court hearing next week that will have county attorneys Andrew Thomas and Sheila Polk answering questions by Mary Rose Wilcox's lawyer. Thomas' office had tried to quash the compelled testimony, but Pima County Judge John Leornardo wouldn't hear of ... More >>

Probe of Other County Attorneys Denied; State-Appointed Referee Also Declines to Force Hiring of Special Prosecutors

Andrew Thomas was said to be appreciative of the Arizona Supreme Court's appointment of retired Chief Justice Ruth McGregor as a referee in the ongoing county feud. Thomas' reaction didn't make much sense then, and it's making even less now that McGregor isn't ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, January 21, 2010

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, January 14, 2010

Joe Arpaio Sends His BFF E.J. Montini a Pizza, Per Their Little "Tradition"

from Jon SullivanMontini scores a pizza from Joe. What's next, flowers and a date?Can Arpaio Twitter via his ancient Smith Corona typewriter? That's what's been keeping me up late as I ponder the true author or authors of Joe's very active Twitter account. In his recent deposition in the big Me ... More >>

The Nooses Must Be Cut Down

Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk provided the blade. Now it's up to AG Goddard and President Obama to use it

Goddard and Obama Must "Do the Right Thing" and Stop Abuses of Power by Thomas and Arpaio

Michael Lacey​State and federal officials must use the "blade" provided by Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk to cut down the "nooses" Sheriff Joe Arpaio and County Attorney Andrew Thomas have dangled across Maricopa County, New Times' executive editor writes in his column this we ... More >>

Thomas Asks for Approval of Special Prosecutors, Wants Inquiry into Statements by Yavapai and Pinal County Attorneys

Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas wants approval of his special prosecutors, now that the state Supreme Court has denied a request to stay the prosecution of Superior Court Judge Gary Donahoe.Judge Gary Donahoe​We're hearing this from Thomas' office, which put out a news release today concern ... More >>

Thomas and Arpaio Talk Tough on County "Corruption," Deflect Questions About Their Own Credibility

Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and Sheriff Joe Arpaio vowed on Tuesday to get to the bottom of what they call a serious corruption problem among county leaders and judges. Their afternoon news conference followed the announcement earlier today that County Supervisors Don Stapley and Mary Ros ... More >>

County Attorney's Office Flubs Response to County on Special Prosecutors Sought in Stapley Case

Image: www.thomasforagexploratory.com Andrew Thomas​ You don't have to be a lawyer to see that the Maricopa County Attorney's Office messed up part of its response to county management over the issue of hiring special prosecutors in the case against Don Stapley. The technical flub, whi ... More >>

New Stapley Case to be Handled by Special Prosecutors From D.C. and Phoenix; Travel Time to be Reimbursed

​ Maricopa County Andrew Thomas has authorized three special prosecutors -- two from Washington D.C. and a Phoenix attorney -- to handle criminal allegations against County Superivor Don Stapley. The move appears to violate the spirit of a promise made by Thomas to the Board of Supervisors a ... More >>

Andrew Thomas Can’t Wash His Hands of the New Times Arrests, Tim Nelson Declares

Minutewomen

The feathered fiend unloads on Mothers Against Illegal Aliens, Arizona Senate Prez Ken Bennett's brat and Suns play-by-play man Tom Leander's nicknaming fetish