Green Party candidates Risa Lombardo and Duwayne Collier are running for statewide office using Clean Elections money. At least six voters say that they have no idea why they are listed as having made small-dollar donations to help Lombardo, Collier and GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Neely qualify for the public campaign funding. (Photo by Jim Small/Arizona Mirror)
‘With 1,000% certainty’: Voters say candidates faked their donations to get public campaign cash
At least six Arizona residents say three statewide candidates falsely used their names to qualify for more than $4.7 million in public campaign funding.
“I can tell you right now, with 1,000% certainty, that I did not make a single contribution, let alone three of them…
The Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission voted on Aug. 27, 2026, to investigate whether Green Party candidates Risa Lombardo and Duwayne Collier engaged in fraud to qualify for public campaign funding. Commissioners also ordered an investigation into Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Neely. (Screenshot via Google Ad Transparency Center)
Fringe candidates’ lawyer cries ‘conspiracy’ as Clean Elections fraud probe barrels ahead
The Clean Elections Commission on Thursday ordered its executive director to continue to investigate three fringe statewide candidates suspected of falsely obtaining millions in public funds for their campaigns. When that investigation is completed, they want him to make a recommendation about whether any of the $4.7 million they collectively received should be repaid.
The unanimous votes of the four-person commission to order the completion of the investigations came two days after the Arizona Mirror published an exclusive report that…
Flock Safety cameras are mounted on a pole in the parking lot of the Home Depot in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
AG Mayes to examine Flock surveillance cameras and Arizonans’ privacy rights
As multiple Arizona cities and towns cancel their contracts with the AI-powered license plate reader company Flock amid reports of police misuse and public outrage at the expanding surveillance state, Attorney General Kris Mayes announced her agency will be reviewing the technology and providing a report to the governor and state lawmakers.
“Technology can and does play an important role in helping law enforcement solve and prevent crime, but its use must be balanced against the Constitution and Arizonans’ privacy rights…
ICYMI
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