The Apache County Board of Supervisors held an executive session of Oct. 31, and unanimously voted to approve a vacancy in the office of the county attorney and cease pay to County Attorney Michael Whiting, effective Nov. 1. Whiting, who has served as the county attorney since 2008, was suspended from practicing law by the State Bar of Arizona on Nov. 1, pending the outcome of his disciplinary proceedings.
Whiting, his wife, Apache County Superintendent of Schools Joyclynn “Joy” Whiting and Daryl Greer, a subordinate of Michael Whiting, are being accused of engaging in a series of unethical and illegal activities over the past two years. Among the charges Whiting has been indicted for are harassment of his wife’s political opponent, misuse of public funds, purchasing gym equipment for personal use, and destruction of public records. Both Michael and Joy Whiting were indicted for using nearly $80,000 in school superintendent funds to purchase a new pickup truck that was mainly used by Michael Whiting.
According to the State Bar of Arizona’s website, a lawyer may be suspended if they appear to be misappropriating funds or “engaging in conduct that would result in substantial harm, loss or damage to the public, the legal profession, or the administration of justice.”
Both Michael and Joy Whiting are up for reelection and running unopposed. But write-in candidates could take either race. If Michael Whiting should win the election, he will not be able to assume office as state law requires a person to have a law license in good standing to hold the office.
