Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel has begun an investigation into the duties of County Assessor Paul Petersen. This is related to Petersen’s request for a hearing on his suspension.
In a press release sent Tuesday morning, the county attorney’s office said: "due to the extensive nature of the investigation and to ensure judicious use of resources," Adel is bringing in outside counsel to conduct the investigation.
The county board of supervisors voted to conduct the investigation last week. Petersen is charged with running an adoption-fraud scheme involving women from the Marshall Islands.
He was put on a four-month, unpaid suspension by the board, but Petersen requested a hearing to appeal that decision. The hearing is scheduled for Dec.11.
