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Pima County Declines to Remove Sheriff Nanos, Refers Perjury Claims to Arizona AG

The board's referral hands the perjury question to state prosecutors for a decision on any criminal inquiry.

Overview

  • Supervisors kept Chris Nanos in office Tuesday and voted 4-0, with one abstention, to send perjury allegations against the sheriff to the Arizona attorney general.
  • Republican Steve Christy’s bid to declare the office vacant failed for lack of a second after supervisors said Nanos missed a deadline to answer their questions under oath.
  • The perjury issue centers on 2024 testimony in which Nanos said he had never been suspended, while El Paso police records show multiple suspensions and a 1982 resignation in lieu of discipline; his attorney says the answer referred only to his Arizona record.
  • Internal pressure has intensified, with more than 250 members of the Pima County Deputies Organization reporting a no-confidence vote, and Nanos saying he will meet union leaders to address divisions.
  • The Nancy Guthrie disappearance has passed 100 days with no public suspect, more than $1.2 million in reward money, and continued friction with the FBI as some county leaders urge handing the case to federal agents.