Colorlines, News Report, Posted: Apr 11, 2012

Former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and his onetime deputy, Lisa Aubuchon, will be disbarred effective May 10 by the Arizona ethics panel for failed corruption probes. Thomas worked closely with Sheriff Joe Arpaio who is also under investigation.

A three-member panel found Thomas violated professional rules of conduct for lawyers in bringing unfounded criminal charges against two county officials and a judge in December 2009. Thomas was elected in 2004 and resigned in 2010 during his second term to pursue an unsuccessful run for Arizona attorney general.

Sandra Castro of Puente Arizona, a human rights organization released the following comment:

“Andrew Thomas and Sheriff Arpaio worked together to intimidate anyone who may have been able to stop the Sheriff’s heinous crimes. Today’s news is more evidence of democratic principles of government being trampled in pursuit of Arpaio’s immigrant hysteria. We’re ready for a new day in Arizona. The net is closing around the Sheriff as another of his collaborators’ misconduct is exposed. Restoring justice in Maricopa County won’t be complete until the Sheriff himself is brought to justice. The investigation into Thomas should serve as a warning to the rest of Arpaio’s backers. It’s time to cut ties or share the Sheriff’s inevitable fate behind bars.”