APACHE COUNTY, Ariz. (AZFamily) — Apache County leaders have yet to respond to the indictments against two elected officials, the county attorney and the schools superintendent.
County Attorney Michael Whiting, his wife Joy, a schools superintendent, and a third county employee are accused of misappropriating public funds and threatening a political opponent. Both Michael and Joy are running unopposed for re-election.
It’s been nearly three months since investigators from the state attorney general’s office searched Whiting’s home and office.
Apparently, the incident began with a report of an assault. A political opponent of Joy’s at the time came forward to say that he had been threatened and harassed by two men, who were later found to be subordinates to Michael. The opponent, Fernando Madrid, reported the assault to the police, who sent the case to the state attorney general’s office.
Michael has served as the county attorney and the public face of law enforcement in Apache County for 16 years, while Joy recently became the school superintendent. Their actions over the past two years are the subject of this 10-count indictment.
Michael and his lead investigator, Darryl Greer, are accused of sending more than 190 pages of anonymous letters threatening legal action against Madrid. Investigators reportedly determined that postage for the letters and packages was paid for with a credit card in Michael Whiting’s name.
Madrid withdrew from the election, citing threats from Whiting.
According to the indictment, Michael purchased a 2023 Ford Expedition for approximately $80,000 using Apache County Superintendent of Schools funds.
Michael is also accused of using $5,500 in County Attorney’s Office funds to buy shirts and bags to help his wife.
“It’s completely inappropriate. It’s completely inappropriate,” said former federal prosecutor Seth Goetz.
According to the indictment, Greer used an Apache County credit card on three occasions to purchase more than $10,000 worth of fitness equipment, all of which he turned over to the county prosecutor’s office.
Michael also allegedly used another $10,000 of the garnished funds to upgrade his office vehicles.
Arizona Family Investigators asked Goats if he had ever seen a county attorney prosecute charges like this one.
“You know this is never normal. It’s not something you would expect or want. It’s certainly something serious,” he replied.
Michael did not respond to our most recent text messages and emails, but denied any wrongdoing in previous communications.
“With regard to surveillance, I have never asked my office to monitor anyone’s home, nor have I asked anyone to do so,” he wrote. “With regard to campaign supplies, neither my office nor I purchase any with public funds… My office and I are committed to transparency,” he continued.
“This is how it should be. This is what’s going to be presented to the jury,” Goertz said.
Arizona Family Investigators reached out to multiple county officials, including the county administrator, the county board of supervisors, the county attorney’s office and the superintendent of schools’ office, but none of them responded.
Before the indictment was announced on Monday, the board voted to cover some of Whiting’s legal costs related to his complaint to the Bar Association.
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