Mayes stated, “Seeking and executing a warrant on a county attorney’s office was a significant decision that I did not take lightly. Since serving the search warrant, County Attorney Michael Whiting has not returned to the office and attorneys from the office are now calling on him to resign. As the state’s chief law enforcement officer, I made the determination that serving a warrant at this time was in the best interest of the State of Arizona and the Apache County Attorney’s Office.”
Mayes noted that during the investigation, Chief Deputy Celeste Robinson will have full authority to make decisions as if the chief deputy were the county attorney in the absence of County Attorney Whiting.
Mayes added that should County Attorney Whiting return to the Apache County Attorney’s Office, he will be required to obtain approval of the Criminal Division Chief of her office before making personnel decisions or expending more than $200.
