Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting indicted on multiple felony charges

APACHE COUNTY, AZ (AZFamily) — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has announced an indictment on the public corruption allegations involving Apache County attorney Michael Whiting.

Whiting was indicted by a state grand jury on several felony and misdemeanor counts that include harassment, theft, misuse of public monies, conflict of interest and stealing, destroying, altering, or secreting public records.

Whiting’s wife, the Apache County School Superintendent, was also charged with felony misuse of public monies and one count of conflict of interest.

“Public officials are entrusted with the responsibility to serve their communities with integrity and honesty,” said Attorney General Mayes. “When that trust is violated, it undermines public confidence in the workings of government. These are serious allegations, and my office is committed to ensuring a thorough and fair legal process as we pursue justice for the people of Apache County.”

Additionally, Whiting’s aide, Daryl Greer, has been indicted on four charges, including misuse of public monies, harassment, and sending a threatening or anonymous letter.

Arizona’s Family Investigates reported about Whiting earlier this month, stating that the embattled top prosecutor had four of his staffers filed injunctions against him, claiming harassment. The injunctions stated that Whiting and two of his employees started driving by their homes after they called on him to resign. It happened after investigators executed a search warrant on Whiting’s home and office.

Arizona’s Family Investigates has confirmed three attorneys in Whiting’s Office who filed the injunctions, including the Chief Deputy, who has been the Acting County Attorney, are leaving.

These three attorneys said they plan to leave by Nov. 1 to start a nonprofit law firm, leaving just two full-time attorneys.

Arizona’s Family Investigates contacted all three Board members and the County Manager. None of them returned calls and emails for comment.

In June, a letter from Mayes’ office detailed questionable purchases found in Whiting’s office linked to his wife, who is running a campaign for Apache County School superintendent. There, they found evidence of tampering and evidence suggesting that he used his employees to threaten a candidate running against his wife.

The Apache County Board of Supervisors voted Monday evening to cover Michael Whiting’s legal expenses associated with his State Bar complaint. The State Bar confirmed a charge had been received, but no information or documents were available.

“It’s shocking to me. I was very surprised to hear it,” Mark Kokanovich, a former federal prosecutor now working for Ballard Spahr, said.

Kokanovich explained that while it’s legal for the Board to pay for these legal expenses, it’s not something you’d expect.

“Paying for bar complaint seems like a bridge too far for me. But it is a decision that those board members can make and they’re elected as well,” Kokanovich said.

Whiting denied any wrongdoing and didn’t respond to questions about the indictment.

He and his wife, Joy, are running for re-election unopposed in November.

See the full indictment below.

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.

Copyright 2024 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.