A candidate for the little-known office of constable is running despite a history of clashes with the law, including a domestic violence arrest, violating an order of protection against his former wife, trespassing citations and being prohibited from carrying a firearm.
John Hastings of Mesa is seeking a position in the judicial system that would require him to serve the kind of legal documents that have been served on him. Hastings is seeking the post in the West Mesa Justice Precinct against Constable Fred Arnett, who has been in office since 1999.
Arnett said he was alarmed when he discovered Hastings' background.
"My biggest concern by far is the two biggest documents a constable serves are orders of protection and evictions, and those are the two things he's proven of violating," Arnett said. "Nobody's perfect. Everybody's got some skeletons in their past that they're not proud of but for this particular job, that is the job. It's not like you can get around that one."
Arnett said that once Hastings filed to run, people from Hastings' past called to share their history with the challenger. Arnett amassed public records that include police reports, judicial proceedings, depositions from a divorce and other documents. Arnett posted 871 pages online, which triggered Hastings to say on his blog that Arnett was unfairly attacking him by posting unverified information and releasing personal and confidential information.
In the documents and in interviews, police, Hastings' ex-wife and others say his anger is a cause of concern. Hastings told the Tribune he's being smeared in the campaign and said he doesn't have a temper.
"I don't have any anger issues," Hasting said. "And I guess I have to dare you to prove otherwise. There's nothing."
Public records show a propensity for legal disputes, as he is the plaintiff or defendant in numerous civil suits filed in Valley courts.
Hastings said Arnett is attributing many suits to another John Hastings, but Hastings declined to say how many cases he has been involved with.
"I don't know how that's relevant," said Hastings, who owns a process serving company. "We've had to file some small claims actions on people. We own a small business. Sometimes people don't pay us."
Police records from Utah show Hastings' former wife claimed verbal and physical abuse. Hastings, a student at Brigham Young University, was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and banned from the campus. He was cited for trespassing after violating the ban.
BYU's financial aid director documented interactions with Hastings for campus attorneys and police, stating Hastings castigated the school and its employees after assuming he would not get financial aid.
"He seemed to feel that anyone who did not agree with him was against him," the financial aid director wrote in a 2003 letter. "We also felt that he seemed agitated enough that he might become threatening to our office."
BYU officials circulated a photo of Hastings to key employees and were told to call police if he appeared.
Hastings physically attacked his wife when she was nine months pregnant in 2002, a police report states. His wife told police Hastings threatened her and said he hated police.
"I believe that John has a bad problem with his temper and could be a hazard to officer safety along with anyone else who upsets him or is around him when he is angry," a police officer wrote in the report.
A Utah court found Hastings violated an order of protection in 2004, and a judge ordered him to attend domestic violence counseling. He had been sentenced to 30 days in jail but only served seven days because he completed the counseling program.
Hastings said the order of protection isn't relevant to his seeking the constable job.
"I have no comment regarding that," he said. "I don't know why you think digging up something from almost seven years ago is relevant."
Hastings filed for a divorce without children in 2004, though he had a daughter. A Utah County Superior Court judge wrote his credibility was in question because of the misrepresentation.
Also in 2004, a judge prohibited Hastings from having a gun because he was a credible threat to his ex-wife.
A 2006 county report states 14 of 22 constables carry firearms.
Landlord Jeff Dumas said he evicted Hastings for not paying rent, triggering a countersuit where Hastings claimed improper maintenance. Dumas said he's been to court with Hastings five times and when he learned Hastings was running for office, he decided to post Arnett campaign signs at his eight rental properties. Dumas said the battles with Hastings made his wife fearful.
"It was kind of scary seeing he's running for office in my district because I use that court quite a bit," Dumas said.
Hastings said he's never been evicted.
Hastings' current wife, Jill, e-mailed a testimonial to the Tribune on Thursday using the campaign account, saying he trusted her husband with her life.
"I have known John Hastings for 3 years now. He is a wonderful husband, an incredible father and I am very lucky to have him," Jill Hastings wrote. "He has never said nor done anything to hurt me in any way. I have even gone on a few serves with him when I have been worried about his safety. He never carries any weapons to protect himself, not even pepper spray. I always carry a pink canister of pepper spray with me though."
Hastings' process serving business involves serving many of the documents a constable serves. Hastings' campaign promises he'll work full-time, and he cites an audit showing Arnett has not filed activity logs with the county Clerk of the Board. Arnett said he was not aware he needed to file the logs with the clerk until Hastings made an issue of it. He filed the old logs with the clerk and said he continues to file new logs with that office as he updates them.
"They have always been accessible and viewable to the public," Arnett said.
The Tribune asked Arnett for a sample of logs, and within minutes he e-mailed a spreadsheet listing transactions that date to when he began his job in 1999. The logs show eviction notices, which are the most-issued documents, and some years list more than 1,000 transactions a year.
The West Mesa Justice of the Peace, Clayton Hamblen, said Arnett is one of the busiest constables because that precinct is always one of the three busiest in Maricopa County.
A bad constable would be an embarrassment to a court or a threat to public safety if protective orders weren't served, Hamblen said, but he said he hasn't experienced any problems.
"He's done a great job," Hamblen said. "The constable job is one of the few in government where you actually make money. I think Fred brings in twice what he costs."
Constables hold obscure positions that get lost in elections amid more high-profile races. News organizations, watchdog groups and activists give little scrutiny to those in the position.
The elected nature of the job is the result of Arizona becoming a state during a populist era when voters were given greater say in civic matters through elections. The notion worked in small towns where everybody knew the candidates, said David Berman, a professor emeritus at Arizona State University who has authored numerous books and papers on government.
Berman figures hardly anybody is aware of the position or who is running in any constable race, which tends to mean the person with the greatest name ID wins.
It would make more sense to have appointed constables who must meet higher standards and go through additional training, Berman said.
"It fits along with the mine inspector, sort of," Berman said, referring to another obscure elected post in Arizona. "It's a position that was fairly significant at one time but has sort of become an anachronism."
baptist posted at 9:46 am on Fri, Aug 20, 2010.
2-bit journalism here. Way to crucify a man and only tell one side of the story. For the full story or at least both sides, see:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2010/08/19/20100819mesa-constable-race0820.html
[wink]
pakmaster1 posted at 11:25 am on Fri, Aug 20, 2010.
I like both Stories.
The both show that Mr. Hastings is a complete wacko, and his history of violence, abuse, and being served an eviction, should in my own opinion disqualify him for the job. No one has a perfect past, but I agree with Lawdog2100. There is a huge Difference between paying the Price for an oversight on a Realtor's mistakes whom you over see, and not filing the paper work to spousal Abuse and Restraining orders.
I say Re-elect Fred Arnett!
MesaRepublican posted at 12:08 pm on Fri, Aug 20, 2010.
I was undecided, but now after reading both articles, I am concerned that someone like John Hastings can get on the ballot with such a violent history. I think the system needs to be changed. There should be background checks for a position like this. John, beating up your pregnant wife is unexusable. I will now be voting for Fred Arnett.
az_native posted at 12:34 pm on Fri, Aug 20, 2010.
Pakmaster1 I noticed that you commented on the arizona republic article as well. And both comments you are talking bad about Mr. Hastings. Why would you comment on both sites unless you are biased?? Come on people do you really believe everything that these pathtic news papers write? Yes everyone has some problems. Are you going to continue and pay Mr. Arnett $60,000 as a side job? As for me I am done with Elected officals that take our tax money and don't do there JOB. If Mr. Arnett response to not filing reports was "miscomunication" why did every other constiable file there reports???? That sounds to me like Mr.Arnett has not been doing his job and some has shined a light on him. For me I am ready for a change!
1 point 21 GW posted at 11:37 pm on Fri, Aug 20, 2010.
I get the feeling that Mr. Hastings has a thing for Mr. Arnett. I like to call it political fore p l a y. Either way Mr. Hastings appears to have yet even more skeletons in his closet. Mr. Hastings its time to come out. We will accept you for who you are and not who you failed to become.
interested4u posted at 3:15 pm on Sat, Aug 21, 2010.
I used to support Fred Arnett. Now I support John Hastings. Fred Arnett admitted to hiring a private investigator, however Fred denies having posted the private investigators results. What kind of B.S. is that? Only Fred would have had access to those results. Not only that, but the audit done on Fred in 2006 (done every 5 years) has now conveniently disappeared from maricopa.gov. But it's HERE for everyone to see how disappointing Fred has been.
http://bit.ly/cUnLj9
Fred DOES have THE WORST STATS in the entire County. No body even ties with him.
Not only that, but he hasn't even bothered to improve upon them:
http://bit.ly/b0lXXw
Fred, keep in mind that John has NEVER been a public official in the public eye, accepting taxpayer $ for a paycheck. You fail to understand that concept.
YOU (FRED), however, HAVE BEEN a public official, in the public eye, accepting taxpayer $ for a paycheck for a self-reported period of 11 YEARS.
FRED, YOU ARE OUT OF THERE, BUDDY! NO MORE EXCUSES!! ANYONE BUT FRED!!!
(As can be seen on Fred's BIO, he lies and states that he has a "perfect record". As can be seen in the comments section, his Deputy Constable "Ron" says:
"I have to work for this scum bag !!!
I hope he loses because i get stuck doing all his work !!"
AND
"If Fred wins i will quit !!!!"
See for yourself:
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/arizona/politics/unplugged/article_edc9a7fc-9cdf-11df-a8e1-001cc4c002e0.html
HigherStandard posted at 8:27 am on Sun, Aug 22, 2010.
You get the quality of new you pay for. Being a free paper means no verifying of facts and non-existant journalism. This is pretty sad the paper has stooped to mud slinging.
HigherStandard posted at 8:32 am on Sun, Aug 22, 2010.
Go John, go. You must over come this yellow journalism with victory. We are rooting for the best man to win.
interested4u posted at 11:11 pm on Sun, Aug 22, 2010.
Shame on you Fred Arnett for not running on the merits. Shame on you Fred Arnett for making this personal. Shame on you Fred Arnett for not checking your so-called "facts" out first. Shame on you for having THE WORST STATISTICS OF ANY CONSTABLE IN THE ENTIRE STATE!!! (AS CONFIRMED BY THE BELOW LINKS).
http://bit.ly/d8WUzi
http://bit.ly/b0lXXw
http://bit.ly/cuhgkT
Good night! (11:11 Make a wish...)
interested4u posted at 12:49 am on Mon, Aug 23, 2010.
For a significantly less biased article which details many of Fred Arnett's MANY many woes, see:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2010/08/19/20100819mesa-constable-race0820.html
[smile]
HigherStandard posted at 5:48 am on Mon, Aug 23, 2010.
interested4u, Thank you for the link to the other article which was much more balanced and informative that this Trib's informercial.
pakmaster1 posted at 12:46 pm on Mon, Aug 23, 2010.
HigherStandard = John Hastings
Interested4u = John Hastings
I get a kick out This... John Hastings just thanked himself for putting another article about himself on a post. It's SO Funny. Yes please go see the AZ rep article as well... and just read the comments. I am dying on the floor laughing right now. John has like 3-4 Other handle names on that one as well, and keeps posting stuff. He can't let anyone have their own opinion about the Race...
As mentioned in the Tribune Article... If you are not for John Hastings... you must be against him. He just can't leave it alone. read all the links and see how many times he re-posts the same old Misleading, not-relevant statistics etc. and how he uses different handles to do it in.
this is a guy who "likes" his own FB posts - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I love it. Quality entertainment.
What I love more than anything is this Race was probably decided before Election day by all the Early Ballot mail in Voters. At this point it's just fun watching John spin his wheels trying to salvage something he has already lost. But a bright glimmer of hope, is that Johns may join the Armed Forces later this week after his loss in politics, and we do need men and Women willing to serve.
Good luck in your Future endeavors John... fortunately for us, it won't be as Constable, but in anything else you decide to do... Go for it, and good Luck!
I'll will now await one of his handles or aliases to attack me again.
pakmaster1 posted at 12:51 pm on Mon, Aug 23, 2010.
Let's Try a Game. Post something Negative about John Hastings.. or better yet Positive about Fred... and see how Fast one of the John Hastings "Aliases" out there Attack you.
I Love Politics!
interested4u posted at 2:10 pm on Mon, Aug 23, 2010.
pakmaster1. dude. you are so retarded. get a life. i do not know anyone else posting on here. we are not john hastings and you are obviously clueless so you must be one of fred arnett's psychotic angry supporters. you really ought to get your head checked.
interested4u posted at 2:12 pm on Mon, Aug 23, 2010.
p.s. - as recently seen on the republic article comments section, fred has NEVER served over 1,000 civil legal documents in a year. those #'s were horribly inflated by none other than fred, himself, in his reports. over a quarter were cancellations that he failed to remove from his report.