Complaint against Arizona Supreme Court Justice Montgomery dismissed

PHOENIX — An ethics complaint against Arizona Supreme Court Justice Bill Montgomery is over after the time for appealing the dismissal of the complaint expired.

Filed a day before Gov. Doug Ducey appointed Montgomery to the state Supreme Court in September 2019, the complaint alleged Montgomery covered up misconduct by former county prosecutor Juan Martinez, who was disbarred in July after sexual harassment allegations.

The complaint, according to a report from ABC 15, alleged Montgomery of four ethics allegations including allowing Martinez to write a book about the Jodi Arias murder case before it was fully adjudicated.

“I have maintained that the complaint was frivolous and based on its timing, intended only to influence the appointment process,” Montgomery said in an email statement Friday.

The independent bar counsel, tasked with investigating the allegations against Montgomery in September 2019, dismissed the complaint on Nov. 9.

“The time for appealing the dismissal has expired and this matter is finally concluded. I am pleased with the resolution and I will continue to devote my complete attention to serving the people of the state of Arizona as a justice on the Arizona Supreme Court,” Montgomery said.

Formerly the Maricopa County Attorney, Montgomery replaced Chief Justice Scott Bales on the state Supreme Court after Bales stepped down to lead the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver.

Montgomery was Ducey’s fifth appointment to the seven-justice court.

Follow @KTAR923