Claims of possible fraud and perjury are casting a shadow on recently appointed Pima County Constable Deborah Martinez as she attempts to run unopposed in the upcoming election to hang on to her position. Top county officials submitted a report to the Board of Supervisors, saying prosecutors could open a criminal investigation and that "there is a reason to believe felony offenses may have occurred."
The case should be referred to the Pima County Attorney's Office and the state Constable Ethics, Standards and Training Board, and the members of the Board of Supervisors should get legal advice about what actions they "may be empowered" to take about the allegations, Assistant County Administrator Mark Napier said. Further, county officials should get advice about "potential remedies" for Martinez being the only candidate on a ballot when she "may in fact not be qualified to run for the office."
South Tucson Police Sgt. Chris Toth, who had pulled papers to run against Martinez for the seat, told county officials that he has evidence that she lied about her address, and that she intimidated him into dropping out of the election after he tried to challenge her petition signatures in court.
Sami Hamed, a former Tucson City Council candidate and longtime worker bee in local Democratic politics, said Martinez has filed restraining orders to "bully" anyone who tries to challenge her...
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