BAR MEDIA CAMPAIGN
For the first time in the history of the State Bar of Arizona - and, according to published case law, for the first time in the history of any state bar in America - Bar officials have waged an extensive and coordinated public relations campaign against one of its members, County Attorney Andrew Thomas. This campaign began in the wake of the Prop 100 illegal immigration battle between Thomas and the Maricopa County courts. These public efforts to damage Thomas were commenced in concert with the Bar's similarly unprecedented wave of investigations of Thomas's office. The following documents illustrate the extent of efforts by current and former State Bar presidents to smear County Attorney Thomas with false charges - all against the backdrop of unwarranted Bar investigations occurring at the same time.
- Press Release Issued by Dan McAuliffe
October 5, 2007
- Dan McAuliffe's Letter to the Editor of the Arizona Republic
October 10, 2007
- Comments to the Yellow Sheet from Dan McAuliffe
October 11, 2007
Note: State Bar President Dan McAuliffe told the Yellow Sheet, a publication of the Arizona Capitol Times, that the State Bar was investigating County Attorney Thomas weeks before the Bar notified Thomas of this fact. Yet McAuliffe continues to claim he knew nothing of the investigations and was not involved in initiating them.
- "Threats to Founding Principles" - Dan McAuliffe
Arizona Attorney Magazine - December, 2007
Note: In this article, provided to every attorney and judge in Arizona, State Bar President Dan McAuliffe claims falsely that County Attorney Thomas accused every Maricopa County Superior Court judge of bias. In fact, only one judge, Timothy Ryan, was accused of bias, and the County Attorney's Office presented to the court substantial evidence in support of this claim.
- "Ethics Rules Meet Real Life" - Roxana Bacon
Arizona Attorney Magazine - March 2008
Note: In this article, former Bar President Roxana Bacon smears County Attorney Thomas by linking him to a scandal in another state in which Thomas played no role. This article was sent to every attorney and judge in Arizona while the State Bar was launching its onslaught of investigations of the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.
- Tim Casey letter to John Furlong re: Novak
June 17, 2008
Note: To date, the current Bar President, Edward Novak, and the State Bar have declined to issue a retraction of Novak's false comments regarding County Attorney Thomas. They have not even responded to Mr. Casey's letter.
- E-mail Correspondance between Mike Scerbo and State Bar
June 24 - 26, 2008
- Letter to Patricia Giallanza of the AZ State Bar from Mike Scerbo
June 27, 2008
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State Bar's Response to Requests
July 1, 2008