Senior member for Maricopa County Attorney’s Office resigns

PHOENIX — A senior member for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office submitted her letter of resignation on Wednesday, citing a mutual loss of trust and confidence in professional interactions.

The office’s Communications Director Jennifer Liewer said in the letter her resignation will be effective March 2 and that she would help with the transition of her position in the meantime.

“There has been a mutual loss of trust and confidence in our professional interactions over the past several months,” the letter read.

“This dynamic has created an environment that unfortunately prevents me from representing the best interests of the employees of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and my community.”

Liewer has held the position since November 2019, and oversaw media relations, crisis issue management and public records.

The announcement comes two days after Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel addressed questions about her sobriety and ability to perform her duties.

An Arizona Republic report last week said Adel’s staff was concerned with her absences from work and that one leadership team member reported to Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates her speech was slurred during a phone call in November.

She checked out of an out-of-state rehab facility for anxiety, alcohol abuse and an eating disorder in September.

Adel in a response to the article said her January absences were because of contracting COVID-19 and that she continues to address her alcohol use and eating disorder.

“I understand that my departure will no doubt further thrust the talented communication professionals I work with at this office into the untenable situation of communication with the media regarding the sobriety and leadership of the county attorney,” Liewer wrote.

She added that she believes the best use of the communications team is to talk about the work of the office and not in defending the county attorney.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in a statement confirmed Liewer’s resignation date and added she is no longer in her role as communications director.

“We thank Jennifer for her service to the office and wish her well in her future endeavors,” the office said in the email.

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