The Arizona Supreme Court is set to consider the case against a top state regulator.
That comes after Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich called for the removal of Corporation Commission Chair Susan Bitter Smith earlier this week.
Now that the high court has accepted the attorney general’s petition for special action, there are several possible outcomes: it could schedule oral arguments, decline jurisdiction or rule on the merits.
Allegations against Bitter Smith center on how her lobbying ties to the telecommunications industry — aspects of which she regulates — could be a violation of state conflict of interest laws. Bitter Smith has said there’s no overlap between her regulatory responsibilities and lobbying for cable companies.
She has until later this month to respond to the court, which will then decide how to proceed in early January.
Complete Coverage
- Embattled Corporation Commissioner's Conflict Of Interest May Extend To Broadband
- Arizona AG Calls For Removal Of Corporation Commissioner Susan Bitter Smith
- Arizona Utility Regulator's Business Ties Called Into Question
- Arizona Corporation Commissioner Bitter Smith And The Debate Over Telecom
- Bitter Smith: Conflict Allegations An 'Intimidation Strategy'
- Arizona Utility Regulator Billed As Telecom Lobbyist In Advertisements
- Attorney Files Complaint Against Arizona Corporation Commissioner Susan Bitter Smith
- Nonprofit Seeking Corruption Charges Against Arizona Regulator Bitter Smith
- Watchdog Group Asks Feds To Investigate Arizona Regulator Bitter Smith
- Arizona Utility Regulator Susan Bitter Smith Faces Another Complaint
- Attorney Calls For Removal Of Arizona Corporation Commission Chair Susan Bitter Smith
