State Bar of Arizona investigating attorney general

December 03, 2012

The State Bar of Arizona is investigating Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne. The investigation stems from alleged campaign finance violations and an alleged hit and run accident.

Horne has been accused of illegally coordinating with an independent expenditure committee during the 2010 election. He’s also charged with a misdemeanor for leaving the scene of a minor accident earlier this year.

Now the state bar, which licenses and regulates attorneys, is investigating Horne over both allegations.

Horne issued a written statement in response to the probe. The statement says:

"Anytime someone makes a complaint to the State Bar, the State Bar investigates the complaint. Then, the State Bar decides whether or not to make a complaint. There has been no decision by the State Bar to make a complaint in this case."

 A spokesman for the bar says there is no timetable for its investigation. In the meantime, Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery has filed a civil action against Horne over the alleged campaign violations. That matter is scheduled for a hearing next month.