Former Arizona Rep. Don Shooter Asks For Release Of Investigation Documents

By Claire Caulfield
Published: Friday, October 5, 2018 - 10:31am
Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services
Don Shooter
Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services
Michelle Ugenti-Rita

Former Arizona Rep. Don Shooter made international headlines as the first state lawmaker ousted after the #MeToo movement and is now asking a federal judge to release the investigation that lead to his removal.

Shooter is fighting a court battle with Arizona Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita after a House of Representatives report found she was one of at least seven women who were sexually harassed by Shooter during his time in office.

Kraig Marton, Shooter's attorney said in new filing in Maricopa County Superior Court that the document he wants "have a direct bearing'' on his efforts to defend Shooter against a slander, libel, battery and negligence claims filed against his client by Ugenti-Rita. And Marton said the documents also are necessary for Shooter to pursue his counterclaim of defamation against Ugenti-Rita.

"He seeks all the documents given to the lawyers that led to the report,'' Marton said. "He seeks the identity of every person who spoke to the lawyers.''

Shooter was expelled from the House in February on a 56-3 vote after the investigative report prepared by the outside attorneys found "credible evidence'' that the Yuma Republican violated House policy against sexual harassment.

House attorneys have refused to release the documents in the past, saying they’re protected under attorney-client privilege.

Shooter says the documents will help him clear his name. In August, Shooter made a bid for the Arizona Senate, but placed third in the three-way primary.