County attorney spent thousands on booklet of her time in office

The Associated Press

Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall is being criticized for spending almost $15,200 in anti-racketeering funds on a 52-page bound color booklet detailing her first 10 years in office.

Former prosecutor and potential Pima County Attorney candidate Bradley Roach said anti-racketeering funds are being misused. “There are things that are allowable by law that just aren’t right,” Roach said.

“She’s (LaWall) using Pima County money to advance her political career.”

Pima County Republican Supervisor Ray Carroll said the booklet is self-promoting and an abuse of franking privileges. “That’s what campaign coffers are for,” he said.

LaWall said she’s complied with all state and federal guidelines for the use of anti-racketeering funds.

“Monies (seized under anti-racketeering laws) are allowed for use under federal guidelines for any law enforcement reason such as gang prevention, education, lots of different kinds of ways,” LaWall told University of Arizona law students last week during a lecture.

LaWall brought with her a stack of booklets for the students to take.

Booklets were also distributed by mail. Mailing costs weren’t available Wednesday.

The booklet details how different sections of her office works, touts their successes and details numerous community justice programs created or expanded during her tenure.

LaWall paid $4,490 to the county’s Graphic Service Department to design the booklets.

A low bid of $9,996 was awarded to AlphaGraphics in December to deliver 5,000 booklets in a rush order of two weeks for a total cost of $10,685.

Recently, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas was heavily criticized for spending $190,000 on pamphlets.

Gov. Janet Napolitano said in her State of the State address Jan. 14 that it’s wrong to use anti-racketeering funds to create publicity for an elected official.