By Lauren Castle | Arizona Republic
Juan Martinez, a longtime prosecutor of Maricopa County’s highest-profile murder cases, has been placed on paid administrative leave, the County Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday night.
Martinez has faced years of sexual harassment and misconduct allegations.
“On Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, Juan Martinez was placed on paid administrative leave. We currently have no further comment on this personnel matter at this time,” according to a statement released by the office.
Martinez became a household name when he prosecuted Jodi Arias, who was convicted of killing Travis Alexander in his Mesa home in 2008. Besides Arias, Martinez has prosecuted numerous other high-profile cases. He’s worked for the county for decades.
The announcement comes a few days after the State Bar of Arizona accused Presiding Disciplinary Judge William J. O’Neil of abuse of power because O’Neil decided Martinez would not face ethics charges for sexual harassment allegations by several women at the County Attorney’s Office.
