Former Arizona Corporation Commission Chairman Gary Pierce and Johnson Utilities owner George Johnson had nothing to say for themselves after pleading not guilty to federal charges in the U.S. District Court on June 7.
Pierce, his wife Sherry, Johnson and lobbyist Jim Norton appeared briefly and entered their pleas of not guilty to charges of felony conspiracy, bribery, mail fraud and five counts of wire fraud brought against them on May 23.
As the Pierce couple left the courthouse shielded from the press, Sherry Pierce also remained silent, but her attorney Ashley Adams offered a brief statement on the Pierces’ behalf.
“Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have served Arizona in various public capacities for the last twenty years,” Adams said, “and they are going to vigorously defend these allegations until they’re vindicated or their good name is cleared.”
The indictment alleges the defendants conspired for Johnson to pay the Pierces through Norton and the unknown co-conspirator in exchange for Pierce’s favorable votes. Pierce and his wife allegedly received $31,500 from Johnson.
The trial is currently set for August 1.
Information from Arizona Capitol Times
