Arizona AG Announces Indictments in Apache County Corruption Investigation

Michael Whiting, the Apache County attorney, faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to public corruption and misuse of funds.Photo byImage: Tysonomo Multimedia

PHOENIX — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Tuesday that a state grand jury has returned indictments in a public corruption investigation involving the Apache County Attorney's Office, leading to serious charges against Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting and others.

Whiting, who has served as Apache County attorney, faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. These include harassment, misuse of public monies, theft, conflict of interest, and the destruction or alteration of public records.

The indictments are part of an ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct within his office, according to court documents.

The indictment accuses Whiting of harassing a political opponent, misappropriating county funds for personal use, and failing to disclose conflicts of interest in county contracts.

Specifically, he allegedly used county funds to purchase items for personal use, including a vehicle primarily used by him despite being assigned to the county attorney’s office.

Additionally, Whiting is accused of using funds from the National Bank of Arizona ACCENT Pending Forfeiture account for unauthorized payments, according to the indictment.

The indictment further alleges that Whiting destroyed or secreted public records by conducting official business through a personal email account, which may have obscured public access to government documents.

"Public officials are entrusted with the responsibility to serve their communities with integrity and honesty," Mayes said in an Aug. 20, 2024, statement.

"When that trust is violated, it undermines public confidence in the workings of government. These are serious allegations, and my office is committed to ensuring a thorough and fair legal process as we pursue justice for the people of Apache County."

The case against Whiting, along with his co-defendants, is scheduled to proceed in Apache County Superior Court, where they will have the opportunity to respond to the charges.

Notably, the investigation remains ongoing, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.