By Garrett Mitchell | The Republic
Water company owner and founder George Johnson removed himself from the management of Johnson Utilities on Friday after he and three others were indicted on federal charges.
Johnson and Gary Pierce, a former chairman of the Arizona Corporation Commission; Pierce’s wife, Sherry; and lobbyist Jim Norton were indicted Tuesday in U.S. District Court on eight charges including bribery, conspiracy and fraud.
Prosecutors allege Gary Pierce approved higher rates for Johnson Utilities in the East Valley and Pinal County in exchange for $31,000.
On Friday, Johnson’s attorneys filed a notice with the Corporation Commission stating he had removed himself from management of the utility and would “devote his time to defending himself until he is cleared of the recent charges.”
