Don Shooter claims he has knowledge of corruption at governor's office
PHOENIX (KSAZ) - He has been expelled from office, but former state lawmaker Don Shooter is not going quietly.
In fact, he is going after the governor's office.
Shooter, who was expelled from the State House after an investigation found he sexually harassed several women and created a hostile workplace, now claims he has knowledge of scandal and corruption in the Governor's Office, but before he was able to gather direct evidence, he was kicked out of the state legislature.
"I want to get it right, and I want to make it right," said Shooter, before his expulsion. On his way out, Shooter distributed an 85-page "Black Binder" that outlined his claims of corruption.
Shooter alleges that he was in the process of gathering evidence to show that two multi-million dollar state contracts went straight to specific vendors that benefit associates of Gov. Ducey.
"This is a binder that was handed by someone to the press, as he was expelled by the legislature," said Gov. Ducey. "If he had all this salacious information, they should've acted on it earlier."
The "Black Binder" had copies of e-mails, police reports, procurement contracts, and other government documents that shooter claims proves his claims. Shooter says it is very suspicious that State Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita decided to go public with accusations of sexual harassment against him, after he threatened the Governor's Office with a subpoena, seeking records on two technology contracts worth $7 million.
Shooter also claims a private investigator was hired to follow him.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ducey denies the allegations.
"This is an individual with zero credibility, according to his peers who expelled him from the Legislature," said Gov. Ducey.
Gov. Ducey was asked if he is saying that Shooter's claims are false.
"Yes, they're false," Gov. Ducey replied. "They're completely false."
Don shooter has hired former Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne as his attorney. They plan to file a lawsuit against the state in the near future.