Heap’s former role with county attorney unclear

State Rep. Justin Heap, a Republican candidate for Maricopa County recorder, once worked under disbarred former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas.

According to an oath of office obtained from the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office, Heap was sworn in as a special deputy county attorney by Thomas in July 2009. Just months later, Thomas filed unfounded charges against other county officials that later led to his disbarment.

Heap stayed with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office until 2010, and records related to his employment were destroyed after he left, according to a records custodian with the office. Thomas resigned from his position in April 2010 to run for attorney general.

Heap was not eligible to practice law in Arizona until December 2009, according to the Arizona State Bar’s website. But according to the oath of office, Heap “made a request to volunteer his services as a prosecuting attorney.”

However, it’s unclear what exactly Heap did during his time with the County Attorney’s Office. Phil MacDonnell, Thomas’ deputy county attorney at the time, said Heap’s name rang a bell but he couldn’t recall any specific work he might have done.

The oath form also includes discrepancies about whether Heap joined the office in 2008 or 2009, but it was filed with the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office in 2009. It was signed by both Heap and Thomas.

After an investigation and disciplinary hearing process, Thomas was disbarred in 2012 for indicting county officials for political reasons, knowingly filing charges after the statute of limitations ended and other ethical violations.

Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was also implicated in the scheme and accused of working with Thomas to investigate political rivals. Heap recently announced an endorsement from Arpaio.

While two other deputies of Thomas were also disbarred for their participation in the cases, Heap does not have a disciplinary record with the State Bar and his name was never mentioned in connection with Thomas’ efforts.

The rest of Heap’s legal career is largely unknown. According to the State Bar’s website, he graduated from Arizona State University’s law school and currently works for his own law firm.

Heap did not respond to multiple requests for comment on his former role at the County Attorney’s Office.

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