He was accused of serious crimes and dismissed; Apache County District Attorney re-elected

PHOENIX (AZ Family) — Despite being removed from office, charged with felonies and having his law licenses suspended, voters in Apache County re-elected County Attorney Michael Whiting.

State law says a district attorney must have a law license in good standing. That’s why the Board of Supervisors dismissed him last week. But he still ran for re-election.

Apache County District Attorney Michael Whiting is accused of misusing tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars and threatening his wife’s political rival. Joy Whiting is the school’s principal.

The Board of Supervisors fired Michael last week. Effective November 1, the day the law license is suspended, depending on the outcome of the criminal case.

He had not been able to return to the office since June, when four employees filed a restraining order against him, accusing him of harassing her. None of this stopped voters from re-electing Michael as chief of law enforcement in Apache County.

Although state law allows someone in good standing without a law license to run for district attorney, that person cannot hold the office.

“These are unprecedented circumstances, at least that I know of,” said Mark Kokanovich, a former federal prosecutor and defense attorney.

He said the Board of Supervisors will likely appoint an interim District Attorney. The State Attorney General’s Office already oversees this office.

Arizona Family Studies asked Kokanovich how Michael could run for office that he couldn’t hold. “I think this is a gap in the law that the legislature could potentially fill,” he responded.

Arizona Family Investigations reached out to Michael for comment but he did not return our call or email. His wife, Joy, was also re-elected.

Both denied the accusations.

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