By Jakob Thorington | Arizona Capitol Times
Republican legislative leadership expressed heavy criticism toward a freshman lawmaker for inviting a speaker who made unfounded allegations of bribery against several elected and appointed officials.
In a joint legislative election hearing on Feb. 23, Rep. Liz Harris, R-Chandler, invited Scottsdale insurance agent Jacqueline Breger to present about “activities impacting Arizona’s elections integrity.” Breger proceeded to accuse officials of taking bribes using false mortgages, election rigging and money laundering.
Breger said she was hired as a principal investigator by John Thaler with the Harris/Thaler Law Firm. Thaler is suspended from practicing law, according to the State Bar of Arizona and Breger was speaking on behalf of his findings. According to both of their Facebook pages, the two are also in a relationship.
None of Thaler’s claims have any credible evidence and many GOP lawmakers have called Breger’s testimony irresponsible and inappropriate. Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, said in a Monday statement that Senate Majority Leader Sonny Borelli, R-Lake Havasu City, requested to review all materials prior to the hearing.
