By Arizona Capitol Times Staff
Arizona Capitol Times House reporter Hank Stephenson has won the Arizona Press Club’s prestigious 2016 Sledgehammer Award.
The award is given each year to reporters who “shine a light on the truth.”
In a statement, the Arizona Press Club noted Stephenson’s efforts to “expose the truth” on the travels of some of the state’s most powerful politicians, notably former House Speaker David Gowan.
The club said Stephenson’s months-long review of travel documents detailing trips by government officials revealed that Gowan, along with other lawmakers, logged tens of thousands of miles in government cars on trips not related to state business.
The club said as a result of the Capitol Times reporting, Gowan had to reimburse the state $12,000. The controversy also led the House to establish a new travel policy.
