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The third installment of @azcentral’s investigation into sexual harassment and other misconduct claims against #JodiArias prosecutor Juan Martinez is in today’s paper. https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2020/08/13/arias-prosecutor-juan-martinezs-legal-career-ends-through-efforts-led-women/5513787002/
Countless people in Arizona’s legal system knew of the claims, including his bosses, judges and regulators responsible for attorney discipline. Who finally held Martinez accountable? @azcentral https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2020/08/13/arias-prosecutor-juan-martinezs-legal-career-ends-through-efforts-led-women/5513787002/
For decades, Martinez advanced through an old-boys’ network that prioritized convictions over vigorously investigating harassment claims. For example, read Martinez’s performance evaluations from 2015-2017. https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2020/08/13/arias-prosecutor-juan-martinezs-legal-career-ends-through-efforts-led-women/5513787002/
During his 30 year career, he flourished under County Attorneys Rick Romley, Andrew Thomas and Bill Montgomery. Romley credited Martinez for being a tough prosecutor, but one who needed close supervision. @azcentral https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2020/08/13/arias-prosecutor-juan-martinezs-legal-career-ends-through-efforts-led-women/5513787002/
Under Bill Montgomery, now on Arizona Supreme Court, there was a 2017 internal investigation of sexual harassment allegations against Martinez. Montgomery disciplined Martinez but allowed him to keep his position. https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2020/08/13/arias-prosecutor-juan-martinezs-legal-career-ends-through-efforts-led-women/5513787002/
But the pace of multiple investigations gained momentum over the past 12 months. And the institutional protections Martinez had relied on evolved or fell away. @azcentral https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2020/08/13/arias-prosecutor-juan-martinezs-legal-career-ends-through-efforts-led-women/5513787002/
Montgomery left. 2 women took over. Rachel Mitchell demoted Martinez; County Attorney Allister Adel fired him, citing new claims of harassment and retaliation. https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2020/08/13/arias-prosecutor-juan-martinezs-legal-career-ends-through-efforts-led-women/5513787002/
Outside the office, one of #JodiArias’ ethics lawyers hammered the state’s attorney discipline system with ethics complaints about Martinez. Karen Clark’s pursuit was another key reason Martinez was held to account. https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2020/08/13/arias-prosecutor-juan-martinezs-legal-career-ends-through-efforts-led-women/5513787002/
After a disciplinary judge threw out 2 charges the State Bar made in a formal complaint against Martinez, the Bar didn’t back down. It appealed to the state Supreme Court, which reinstated a sexual harassment complaint. https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2020/08/13/arias-prosecutor-juan-martinezs-legal-career-ends-through-efforts-led-women/5513787002/
Shortly later, Martinez gave consent to be disbarred. He said giving up his law license was not an admission of wrongdoing. @azcentral https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2020/08/13/arias-prosecutor-juan-martinezs-legal-career-ends-through-efforts-led-women/5513787002/
After our investigation was published, @azcentral received a report from a county hearing officer upholding Martinez’s firing. It called him a “genuine risk to the County Attorney’s Office.” Story by @lauren_castle, @robertanglen & @anneryman https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2020/08/14/arias-prosecutor-juan-martinez-genuine-risk-female-co-workers-maricopa-county-report-says/3372201001/
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