Hoffman subpoenas seek testimony from Hobbs and others in pay-to-play investigation
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Senate Government Committee chair Jake Hoffman on Wednesday. Photo: Jeremy Duda/Axios
State Sen. Jake Hoffman is trying to force Gov. Katie Hobbs and others to testify to a legislative committee that's investigating pay-to-play allegations against her.
Why it matters: The investigation could uncover new information and will put a spotlight on the allegations shortly before the election, in which Hobbs is seeking a second term.
State of play: Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) announced Wednesday that he's issuing subpoenas to Hobbs, Attorney General Kris Mayes, members of their staffs, figures from the Department of Child Safety (DCS), the CEO of Sunshine Residential Homes, and others.
- The subpoenas command them to testify on Sept. 29 to the Senate Government Committee, which Hoffman chairs.
- Hoffman also subpoenaed the unreleased files from the attorney general's investigation into the bribery allegations against Hobbs.
Catch up quick: The Arizona Republic reported in 2024 that DCS granted a previously rejected rate hike to Sunshine Residential Homes after the group home provider gave $400,000 to Hobbs' inauguration fund and the Arizona Democratic Party.
- After a two-year investigation, Mayes announced last month that her office found no evidence that would support bribery charges.
- The investigation also found that Sunshine had made $150,000 in previously unknown contributions to Hobbs' legal defense fund.
Friction point: During a press conference Wednesday, Hoffman alleged that Mayes "feigned" an investigation into her fellow Democrat Hobbs and questioned why her office still hasn't released its full investigative files.
- He noted that the legal analysis the AG's Office released with its findings didn't include allegations that Sunshine CEO Simon Kottoor told outgoing DCS director Michael Faust that he could urge Hobbs to keep Faust on as director in exchange for the rate hike. Kottoor has denied the allegation.
- Hoffman also emphasized that Hobbs refused to sit for an interview with the AG's Office for the investigation.
The intrigue: The committee hearing is eight days before early voting begins and five weeks before the election, in which Hobbs faces Andy Biggs and Mayes faces Warren Petersen.
What they're saying: Hobbs campaign spokesperson Michael Beyer said the subpoenas were "desperate political stunts" intended to boost Biggs, and he noted that a company owned by Hoffman has been paid nearly $1.2 million to aid Biggs' campaign.
- There's no evidence of wrongdoing by Hobbs, her office or her campaign, he added.
- Mayes spokesperson Richie Taylor called the subpoenas "performative political nonsense" right before an election, and he defended the AG's Office investigation as thorough and professional.
Yes, but: The Hobbs administration and campaign wouldn't say whether she'll comply with the subpoena, and Taylor said the AG's Office couldn't comment on that until it had reviewed the subpoenas.
Threat level: Refusal to comply with a legislative subpoena is a class 2 misdemeanor.
- Hoffman said the Senate can also hold people in contempt for disobeying subpoenas, something he said he'd pursue if necessary when the Legislature reconvenes in January.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Auditor General is investigating the allegations in conjunction with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, as is an outside law firm hired by Arizona House Republicans.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to note that a company owned by state Sen. Jake Hoffman has been paid nearly $1.2 million to aid Andy Biggs' campaign (not hundreds of thousands of dollars).