The bribery and fraud trial involving the Arizona Corporation Commission continued Thursday. Defense attorneys are now saying the case against their clients is based on a sloppy FBI investigation.
The bribery case is against former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce, his wife and two others. The attorney representing lobbyist Jim Norton said federal investigators interviewed just three people before indicting the group. The theory is that utility company owner George Johnson used Norton to funnel funds to former utility regulator Gary Pierce.
Investigators believe that was done by having Norton’s now-ex wife provide money via a contract with Pierce’s wife. The trial is expected to last at least through June.
