PHOENIX โ An activist lawyer asked Attorney General Mark Brnovich to take legal steps to oust Susan Bitter Smith from the Arizona Corporation Commission, contending she is holding office illegally.
In a complaint filed today with Brnovich's office, Tom Ryan said Bitter Smith's role in lobbying for cable companies creates a direct โ and he contends illegal โ conflict of interest. That's because Cox Communications, the largest player in Arizona, also provides telephone service which is regulated by the commission.
He also pointed out that a separate firm owned by Bitter Smith and her husband, Paul, does consulting work for a company which is working with Arizona Public Service to have an APS substation moved near a Scottsdale subdivision. APS, the state's largest electric utility, also is regulated by the commission.
Ryan is asking Brnovich to file what is known as a "quo warranto" action. That's essentially a lawsuit asking the Arizona Supreme Court to declare her election void and the office vacant.
But Ryan said if Brnovich does not act he will file his own lawsuit against Brnovich, asking a judge to order the attorney general to do his job and pursue Bitter Smith.
There was no immediate response from either Bitter Smith or Brnovich.
