Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich is asking for an explanation from Maricopa County Attorney Alistair Adel about the failure to file charges in 180 cases.
Her office was forced to drop the cases when charges were not filed before the statute of limitations expired. Brnovich has asked for the report by March 31.
The 180 cases included drunk driving, assault and domestic violence. All were misdemeanor cases.
Initially the county attorney blamed her staff, but later accepted responsibility following widespread criticism including from Gov. Doug Ducey saying she needed to accept responsibility for the dropped cases.
Attorney General Brnovich sent a letter to Adel asking for explanations about the mishandling of the cases and what’s being done to prevent it from happening again.
Brnovich cites an Arizona statute which says his office has supervisory powers over county attorneys.
Adel has been facing criticism over her management of her office following the revelation that she was undergoing treatment for alcohol abuse, and an eating disorder.
