Former Arizona regulator Susan Bitter Smith will not face criminal charges for the conflict of interest issues that led to an attorney general’s investigation and her eventual resignation.
After several months of investigating, Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office found there is "insufficient evidence to warrant a criminal prosecution" of former Arizona Corporation Commission Chair Susan Bitter Smith.
Last year, Brnovich called upon the state’s high court to remove Bitter Smith from office on the grounds that her ties to the telecommunications industry violated conflict of interest rules. Bitter Smith has rejected those allegations. Nonetheless, she chose to resign so as to avoid further distraction from the commission’s work. The court then decided to dismiss the case earlier this month.
Brnovich’s office said it conducted various interviews and reviewed documentation related to possible criminal conduct, but has closed the investigation at this time.
