The Pima County Board of Supervisors will consider censuring Sheriff Chris Nanos for election interference and First Amendment violations after he suspended both his political rival and the leader of a deputy’s union that spoke out against him.
Democratic Supervisor Matt Heinz introduced the motion through a press release on Wednesday, calling Nanos’ actions “an attempt to smear and silence his opponent.”
“You cannot effectively, in some ways, lock up your political rival during an election. I don't care why. You know what? I'm sorry you didn't like some people protesting against you on a street corner, saying not-nice things on a sign. That's their First Amendment, right, okay?” Heinz said.
Nanos suspended Lt. Heather Lappin on Oct. 14 for two policy violations, including allegedly knowing about employees campaigning on duty on her behalf and not stopping it, and for working with a local reporter, according to a department statement released the next day.
