Pima County Sheriff's Perjury Allegations Spark Board Action

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos's attempt to be ousted failed during a recent Board of Supervisors meeting. However, the board did approve a 4-0 vote to refer perjury allegations against Nanos to the state Attorney General's office, with one supervisor abstaining. These developments address claims that Nanos lied under oath about his past disciplinary record as a Texas police officer.

Records indicate Nanos was suspended multiple times and resigned from a Texas police department in lieu of termination. Nanos's attorney disputes the perjury claim, stating his testimony referred only to his Arizona career. The allegations surfaced amid the ongoing Nancy Guthrie kidnapping investigation, which has now surpassed 100 days with limited public progress.

Supervisors have explored a rarely used Arizona law from the 1800s as a potential path to remove an elected sheriff. Legal experts note that a perjury conviction could force Nanos from office. Both sides have retained outside legal counsel, increasing costs for taxpayers. The sheriff submitted a notarized statement after a deadline, which some supervisors believe may still be accepted but does not resolve the core concerns.