By Lauren Castle | Arizona Republic
In another step away from her predecessor, Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel says she is prepared to release hundreds of pages from an investigation into sexual harassment claims against Deputy County Attorney Juan Martinez — if a judge agrees.
Former County Attorney Bill Montgomery, who Gov. Doug Ducey appointed to the Arizona Supreme Court, had opposed the release of the documents for more than a year. Presiding Disciplinary Judge William J. O’Neil had ordered the documents sealed.
Attorney David J. Bodney filed a motion on Thursday asking O’Neil to unseal documents, and noting that the new county attorney is not opposed to their release.
“Maricopa County Attorney Adel authorized me to inform the Court that MCAO does not oppose the unsealing and release of the Report,” Bodney stated in court records.
“An order unsealing the Report would be in the interest of justice as well as in the interest of judicial efficiency and economy,” Bodney stated.
Jennifer Liewer, spokeswoman for the County Attorney’s Office, told The Arizona Republic, “We don’t oppose the release of the public records if the judge unseals the document.” Upon unsealing, she said, Adel’s office will provide the documents through its public records request process.
