By Robert Anglen and Ryan Randazzo | The Republic | azcentral.com
Three Republican candidates for the board that regulates utilities benefited from contributions by two of the state’s largest energy companies, although company officials said they were unaware of the donations.
An Arizona Republic investigation found that money from Arizona Public Service Co. and Southwest Gas Corp. helped pay for a mailer just days before the Nov. 6, 2012, election in support of the three Republican Arizona Corporation Commission candidates.
The donations are not illegal, but both companies have policies that prohibit involvement in commission elections.
APS and Southwest Gas officials acknowledged that a non-profit group they support directed funds to a committee backing the three commissioners.
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