DPS: Board President did touch Diane Douglas during spat

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Remember the clash between Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas and School Board President Greg Miller. At Douglas's request, the Department of Public Safety's Capitol Police unit investigated the incident.

That investigation is complete and has been submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for a final decision on whether charges will be filed.

"You're putting students at risk, Mr. President I am not, please take your hands off me," said Diane Douglas.

Douglas and Miller have squabbled in the past, but a clash on August 24 was a shock to many. After the meeting, Douglas filed a complaint with DPS saying Miller grabbed her left wrist and moved her microphone. A detective with the agency spoke with Douglas, Miller, and six other board members. Douglas and Miller recall the incident differently.

"I said Mr. President to be recognized, and at that point rather angrily is that a word he grabbed my wrist and I said let go of my hand, he started to let go, and he grabbed it again and he very agitated took the microphone," said Douglas.

Miller was interviewed by the same detective later who asked if there was any contact. "Not that I'm aware of, I could have bumped her arm as I raised the microphone, but I don't remember that," said Miller.

The DPS detective concluded that Miller had indeed touched Douglas's arm. The Maricopa County Attorney is now reviewing the case to determine if any charges will be filed.

"The fact is Diane Douglas did not want to be touched, he touched her according to her, and that is a crime in Arizona," said legal expert Monica Lindstrom.

Miller requested that Douglas's seat be moved, and at the last board meeting they were separated.