Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos used his position and department resources "for political gain" when he disciplined a commander and political rival just three weeks before the general election in 2024, according to a report summary from a firm that handles personnel disputes obtained by the Star.
Tucson-based NorthStar Employment & Legal Solutions concluded in its administrative investigation into a complaint filed against Nanos by Heather Lappin — who lost the election to Nanos by 481 votes — while she was a lieutenant at the jail, which Nanos oversees. Lappin was suspended by Nanos after the Sheriff's Department accused her of posting a photo on her campaign’s Facebook page showing deputies campaigning in uniform.
The firm's review followed a complaint Lappin filed against Nanos, according to a memo from Jan Lesher, the county administrator.
Only one of the three key findings in a summary of the report favors Nanos:
• Regarding an allegation of bullying, the report says a "preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that (Nanos) acted for the purpose of creating a hostile or abusive workplace."
A summery of an administrative review by a Tucson firm says Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos improperly used his position and department resources for "political gain" when he suspended a jail commander and political rival three weeks before the 2024 election.
• Nanos not only used his authority as sheriff and the department’s resources for his own political gain, but he also "violated applicable code of conduct rules," the report found.
• "By including confidential information in a press release about the reasons he placed Lt. Lappin on paid administrative leave for political gain, he did not maintain rules about courtesy and civility," the memo noted in its third finding.
“The Sheriff's actions were found to be inconsistent with the listed policies; however, the Sheriff is not subject to these policies as an Elected Official,” the report summary said.
Asked on Thursday about the report's findings summarized in the memo, Nanos referred the Star to Lesher.
"This is a legal matter that was protected under attorney client privilege and the County Administrator is who you should be talking to as the memo you have is the one written by downtown HR. It is their interpretation of a report I have not seen," Nanos said in a message to the Star. "I have no idea what the report says so I will refer you to Ms. Lesher."
When asked for a copy of the complete report, Lesher told the Star that she was told it is under attorney-client privilege "so it cannot be released." The Star, however, obtained the summary memo through a source.
Lappin, on Thursday night, said she was pleased to see the findings but wish they had been known by the public sooner.
"I am pleased that Pima County Human Resources’ independent investigation confirmed Sheriff Nanos and members of his senior command abused their authority for political gain during the 2024 election. But it is concerning that it was allowed to occur throughout the election cycle, and only now—17 months after the election—is the public finally learning of Nanos’ misconduct," she said. "If the County had acted on any of my numerous requests for it to intervene and stop Nanos’ clear misconduct, the people of Pima County would have been fully informed when they cast their votes for last November . . . I hope the County will act accordingly in light of the independent investigation's findings."
The memo comes after the Pima County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to have an outside attorney review the misrepresented work history of Nanos, in an effort that could result in his removal from office.
The board voted to hire an outside attorney to review the sheriff's work history following reporting by The Arizona Republic found he had misstated his experience and discipline history at the El Paso Police Department when first hired by Pima County to work at the jail.
The report stemming from Lappin's complaint is separate from a $2 million claim she filed in April 2025 against the county and Nanos. The claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, alleges that Nanos interfered with Lappin's right to a fair election.
