Chandler police are going to recommend to prosecutors that state Sen. John Huppenthal be charged with misdemeanor counts of theft and tampering with a political sign in connection with his pulling out a sign on Election Day.
Chandler police are going to recommend to prosecutors that state Sen. John Huppenthal be charged with misdemeanor counts of theft and tampering with a political sign in connection with his pulling out a sign on Election Day.
Dems want Huppenthal prosecuted in sign flap
Huppenthal denies altercation with Dem volunteer
Detective Frank Mendoza, Chandler police spokesman, said the investigation is complete and in the next few days the police report will be submitted to city prosecutors, who will decide whether to file the recommended charges.
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Huppenthal, R-Chandler, said Tuesday he was following the law pertaining to political signs.
According to the law, no one can remove political signs 45 days before an election or seven days after except for the candidate to whom the sign belongs or the property owner if the sign is placed on private property, or if the sign is placed in violation of the law.
Huppenthal contends he had permission to remove the sign from the manager at Country Brook Apartments, 4904 W. Joshua Blvd, in Chandler where a polling station was located. Calls to the manager of the complex by the Tribune were not returned.
The Nov. 4 flap involved a 78-year-old Democratic volunteer who accused the senator of yanking the sign from her hands.
Huppenthal, who represents an area that includes west Chandler and parts of Ahwatukee Foothills and Tempe, said he saw a sign at the apartment complex that contained a lie about his involvement in solving air quality issues at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe.
The Democratic volunteer, Ruth Levin, said she yelled at Huppenthal as he cut strings anchoring the sign.
Levin said they got into a tug of war over the sign, but Huppenthal said she only reached for it.
Huppenthal said he left the sign beside a trash bin in the apartment complex for it to be easily found by the owner.
Huppenthal has spent 16 years in the Legislature and won in a landslide over Democratic challenger Ted Maish for the District 20 seat.
