Opinion: The murky resolution of the bar complaints against Attorney General Mark Brnovich raises issues the Arizona Supreme Court can’t resolve.
By Robert Robb | Arizona Republic
The outcome of the bar complaints against Attorney General Mark Brnovich is obscure and murky.
Brnovich claimed victory, saying that an agreement with the State Bar resulted “in the dismissal of each complaint with no sanction or findings of professional misconduct.”
However, the complainants – Secretary of State Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Board of Regents – pointed out that the resolution took the form of a diversion, which usually involves some kind of remedial action or training on the part of the lawyer against whom the complaint was lodged. And that, in turn, suggests some finding of some degree of questionable conduct.
While the bar’s agreement with Brnovich is confidential, Brnovich could waive the confidentiality and make it public. It is reasonable to infer from his refusal to do so that the agreement isn’t the clear-cut vindication his press release proclaimed.
What the constitution says about Brnovich’s role
