PHOENIX (AP) - A jury has been picked at the trial of a former elected Arizona utility regulator accused of accepting bribes from a water company owner in exchange for favorable decisions.
The selection of the jury clears the way for lawyers to make opening statements Thursday in the case of former Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce.
Authorities say Pierce took $31,000 in bribes funneled to him from water company owner George Johnson and tried to get Johnson to buy him a $350,000 piece of land.
In exchange, prosecutors said Pierce voted for a rate increase that benefited the water company and approved a measure that lets the firm’s owner use ratepayer money to pay his personal income tax bill.
Pierce, his wife Sherry, water company owner George Johnson and lobbyist Jim Norton dispute the criminal allegations made against them and have pleaded not guilty to bribery and other charges.
Prospective jurors were asked whether they harbored bad feelings about politicians, lobbyists and the criminal justice system.
An indictment said Johnson arranged to have $31,000 in payments funneled to Pierce and his wife through a consulting firm. The money was paid to Sherry Pierce, who worked for the consulting firm, and deposited into a bank account held by her and her husband, prosecutors said. Sherry Pierce maintains she was paid for doing legitimate political work.
Prosecutors said the firm was run by an “unindicted coconspirator” who will testify at trial on behalf of the government, but they haven’t publicly revealed that person’s identity.
Norton’s attorney has said in court records that Norton’s ex-wife, Kelly Norton, is the unindicted co-conspirator.
Norton, who lobbied on Johnson’s behalf, is accused of acting as a go-between for Pierce and Johnson and aiding in the real estate transaction. Authorities say money for the purchase of property in Mesa was to be provided by Johnson.
The indictment doesn’t make clear what became of the property purchase, but Norton’s lawyer has said the transaction never occurred.
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