Brewer: Assessor resigning would show admission of wrongdoing
Oct 16, 2019, 5:30 PM
(AP Photos)
PHOENIX — Former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer believes an indicted county official isn’t resigning from his position because it would be an admission that his alleged actions were wrong.
The Maricopa County Board of Directors on Oct. 10 called for Assessor Paul Petersen to step down following his arrest in an alleged adoption fraud scheme, a demand that has so far has not been met.
A lawyer for Petersen fired back on Tuesday, saying prosecutors have miscast him as a human smuggler.
“I don’t have inside information, but I assume he’s getting legal advice, maybe as part of a plea bargain,” Brewer told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mac & Gaydos on Wednesday.
Brewer, who has known Petersen since he was a child, also believes he should resign to focus on the legal process.
She told Mac & Gaydos last week that she thinks the case against Petersen “does not look good” and that he’s “in big trouble.”
Petersen, 44, was arrested on Oct. 8 and indicted on 32 counts that included human smuggling, sale of a child, conspiracy and fraud in three states.
Petersen’s arraignment in Arizona was postponed until after an Oct. 29 hearing in Arkansas, where he faces federal charges.
“The right thing to do is resign, get it out of newspapers and stop ripping off taxpayers of Arizona,” Brewer said.