PHOENIX (AP) - The Latest on former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce’s trial on bribery charges (all times local):
1:06 p.m.
Lawyers made opening statements at the trial of a former Arizona utility regulator accused of accepting bribes from a water company owner in exchange for favorable decisions.
Prosecutor Frank Galati said Thursday that then-Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce reversed his positions on two proposals he had previously opposed because water company owner George Johnson funneled $31,000 to him.
Galati says the money was funneled to Pierce in exchange for Pierce’s votes on a rate increase that benefited the company and another measure that lets Johnson use ratepayer money to pay his personal income taxes.
Defense attorneys vigorously deny the allegations.
They say the money was paid to Pierce’s wife for legitimate political work she did at a firm on behalf of Johnson.
Their clients have pleaded not guilty.
11:39 p.m.
The trial of a former elected Arizona utility regulator charged with accepting bribes from a water company owner in exchange for favorable decisions is scheduled to start Thursday.
Former Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce is accused of accepting $31,000 in bribes that authorities said were made on behalf of a water company owner, and trying to get the owner to buy him a $350,000 piece of land.
Prosecutors say Pierce, in exchange, 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 have pleaded not guilty to bribery and other charges.
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