Phoenix, Ariz. —   The Arizona Corporation Commission on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 voted 3-0 (Commissioner Tovar was not in attendance and Commissioner Marquez-Peterson was excused due to an unexpected personal emergency) to approve a motion to censure Commissioner Anna Tovar for violations pertaining to state law regarding Executive Session Confidentiality and Confidentiality of Employment Information.  In addition, Commissioner Tovar was censured for harassing an ACC employee and violating the Code of Conduct.

The Commission holds Commissioner Tovar accountable for violating state law pertaining to confidentiality, and for violating the ACC Code of Ethics through her conduct.  The Commission found that Commissioner Tovar knowingly disclosed confidential personnel information in a November 15, 2024 letter and a November 22, 2024 letter published on Commissioner Tovar’s website and publicly posted on the Commission docket.  In the letter, Commissioner Tovar expressed her disagreement concerning the approval of a bonus for the Commission’s Executive Director, some of the details in the letter were discussed during an Executive Session on November 6, 2024.  A copy of the censure letter can be found in the ACC Docket here -  https://docket.images.azcc.gov/0000212417.pdf?i=1734540842045.

“I am disheartened and sincerely disappointed that the Commission had to formally censure Commissioner Tovar,” said Chairman Jim O’Connor.

The ACC has established procedures to address ethics complaints and ensure transparency and accountability.  The Office of General Counsel is tasked with handling investigations into ethics complaints.  The ACC’s Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct provides a clear expectation of the conduct of Commissioners.  It states that as members of a public body, the Commissioners should respect and comply with the law and should conduct themselves at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the Commission.  Commissioners are held to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct, and proven violations are treated as a serious infringement of moral duties and obligations.

The matter will also be referred to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review.