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Former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas says it was a political witch hunt that led to his disbarment. He held a press conference Wednesday to defend himself against the state bar’s decision to take away his license to practice law. From Phoenix, Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez reports.

Andrew Thomas surrounded by supporters at a press conference he called Wednesday. (Photo by Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez - KJZZ)

Lisa Aubuchon spoke briefly Wednesday, vowing to appeal her disbarment. (Photo by Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez - KJZZ)

Supporters for and protesters against Andrew Thomas were vocal at Wednesday's press conference. (Photo by Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez - KJZZ)

NADINE ARROYO RODRIGUEZ: Surrounded by a group of protesters from both sides, Thomas said his disbarment was an act of retaliation by a corrupt judicial system. Thomas was accused of prosecuting and intimidating public officials who criticized his office. He said the judge who oversaw his disciplinary hearing refused to consider the evidence against other Superior Court judges that Thomas believed to be corrupt.

ANDREW THOMAS: We now have a constitutional crisis in which prosecutors, members of the executive branch are being targeted by judiciary and other constitutional branch for blowing the whistle on corruption and misconduct in the judiciary. That is essentially what is happened to me.

ARROYO RODRIGUEZ: Standing in the background was Thomas’ former Deputy Attorney Lisa Aubuchon. She was also disbarred on Tuesday for her role in the prosecutions.  

LISA AUBUCHON: I will be filing an appeal and a request for stay.  I have a lot of clients that have had a lot of faith in me and will continue to have faith in me. So I want to continue to represent their interest.

ARROYO RODRIGUEZ: Thomas said he’s not sure if he’ll appeal. He says he wants to create a referendum to fight public corruption. He’s also writing a tell-all book about his experience.