PHOENIX — Lawyers for former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas face a Jan. 16 deadline for filing closing arguments in an attorney discipline case against their client.
The former prosecutor is accused of bringing criminal cases against two county officials to embarrass them and charging a judge with bribery when Thomas knew the charges were false.
The ethics investigation against Thomas stems from a dispute that pitted Thomas and his chief ally, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, against judges and other county officials.
Thomas and Arpaio contend they were trying to root out corruption.
Attorneys pressing the case against Thomas have already filed their closing arguments.
A three-person panel will decide in late February or early March whether Thomas should face punishments that include an informal reprimand, censure, suspension or disbarment.
