Arizona Supreme Court Won't Consider Case Against Bitter Smith
The Arizona Supreme Court chose not to consider a case seeking the removal of former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Susan Bitter Smith because her resignation rendered the effort by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich (R) irrelevant, said minutes from the court.…
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Brnovich had wanted Bitter Smith removed, saying her work for Southwest Cable Communications Association was a conflict of interest making her ineligible for office. Bitter Smith resigned last month (see 1512180034) -- effective Monday -- because the case was “causing great distraction” from the commission’s work. “The Court’s refusal is not a victory for the AG," she said in a statement Tuesday. "The issue of whether a conflict arises from relationships with those businesses that are affiliated with regulated businesses remains alive. This question will cause concern for every candidate for the [commission] and for the businesses that have affiliates regulated by the [commission].” Brnovich said in a statement that he wouldn’t have moved forward with the case if he and the other people in his office didn’t believe Bitter Smith had a clear conflict of interest. "After Bitter Smith’s resignation, we asked the Arizona Supreme Court to dismiss the Petition for Special Action because the conflict no longer existed," he said.