(Editor’s note: Opinion pieces are published for discussion purposes only.)
By Laurie Roberts Arizona Republic
A county investigation shows Paul Petersen hasn’t neglected his official duties as tax assessor — largely because he doesn’t have many.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors should give county Assessor Paul Petersen his job back.
Much as it really, really, reeeeally pains me to say it, county leaders should channel their inner Queen Elsa of Frozen fame and …. let it go.
Take a deep breath, hold their noses and reinstate the suspended tax assessor/suspected baby broker when he appeals his suspension this week.
If they care about taxpayers, that is.
Oh sure, Petersen faces federal and state charges in three states that he was running an illegal adoption ring and defrauding the state of Arizona.
That, however, doesn’t mean he wasn’t doing the job voters elected him to do: A $77,000-a-year gig that apparently is pretty much a giant nothingburger.