The Pinal County Board of Supervisors accused County Attorney Brad Miller of conflicts of interest as a power struggle between the two sides continues to play out in court.
Under state law, Miller is the board’s attorney. But the board voted unanimously this week to declare that it believes “a potential conflict of interest exists” regarding the county attorney’s “ethical obligations to the Board of Supervisors,” and how the office’s investigators exercise their law enforcement authority.
The vote came as the board and Miller are engaged in a legal fight over Miller’s cooperation with federal immigration enforcement activities.
Ahead of the board vote this week, Miller accused the supervisors of engaging in “frivolous legal actions targeting the County Attorney’s Office, the very office the voters of Pinal County elected to enforce the law and protect public safety.”
Miller accused the board of spending around $257,000 on outside legal fees related to its ongoing fight against the county attorney.
“At a time when residents expect their government to prioritize safety, accountability, and results, this diversion of public funds raises serious concerns about the Board’s priorities,” he said in a statement.
The board voted to give Miller until noon on Friday to respond to its allegation that Miller has a conflict of interest. If he doesn’t respond, the supervisors direct the county manager to hire an outside attorney to represent the board.
A spokesperson for the County Attorney’s Office said Miller has not responded to the board, referring KJZZ to Miller’s statement issued prior to the vote.
The Board of Supervisors sued Miller after he entered a 287(g) agreement with ICE last year that allows the county attorney’s staff to question people about their immigration status and arrest people they suspect of being undocumented.
Typically, 287(g) agreements are made between the federal government and county sheriffs — not county attorneys. And the supervisors argue Miller needed their approval before signing the deal — a claim Miller disputes.
That lawsuit, which was moved to Maricopa County Superior Court, is ongoing.
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