Felecia Rotellini receives praise from a formidable foe

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Arizona Republic's arch-conservative columnist Robert Robb — and water carrier for Libertarian think tanks like the Goldwater Institute — published an opinion questioning Democratic candidate for Attorney General Felecia Rotellini's experience and qualifications. Robb's a tool.

Perhaps you should hear from someone who has actual knowledge of her experience and qualifications from having worked with Felecia Rotellini. Robb skipped homework on Rotellini:

Robert Robb's characterization of Felecia Rotellini's involvement in the Baptist Foundation litigation was so far off the mark, it makes me wonder what, if any, fact-checking he performed ("Clamor over qualifications often is just political noise," column, Oct. 3).

From my vantage point, the $217 million settlement would not have occurred without Felecia's persistent hard work over several years. She, of all the lawyers who claim credit for the litigation, deserves the recognition.

Felecia was responsible for the initial subpoena of the State Board of Accountancy for information from Arthur Andersen, which led to the administrative investigation, the criminal investigation and the other legal actions to follow.

She worked tirelessly in leading both public and private lawyers through three plus years of hard-fought battles.

Her role in negotiating the settlement cannot be overstated.

She gave direction and counsel in every step of the litigation process.

She understood the complex accounting issues and forcefully and persuasively articulated those issues with consistency and conviction.

She is entitled to lay claim to that victory for the state and the victims of the Baptist Foundation.

What was my vantage point? I helped lead the team of lawyers representing Arthur Andersen in opposition to Felecia. She is a formidable foe.

Please set the record straight.

Edward F. Novak, Phoenix

UPDATE: Press release from the Felecia Rotellini for Attorney General campaign:

Former Legal Rival Praises Rotellini

Arthur Andersen’s lead lawyer in Baptist Foundation case praises Rotellini’s work to recover millions for victims of fraud

 PHOENIX – Ed Novak, the lead attorney for Arthur Andersen – and former opposing counsel of Attorney General candidate Felecia Rotellini in the Baptist Foundation of Arizona (BFA) case – has come out with great praise for Rotellini, lauding her instrumental role in recovering $217 million recovery for the victims of BFA, who were mainly elderly people and working families.

Mr. Novak’s support comes in response to Arizona Republic columnist Robert Robb’s October 3 column, in which he diminished Rotellini’s involvement in the case. Novak, who led the team of lawyers defending the accounting giant, declared on today’s op-ed page of the Arizona Republic that Robb “mischaracterized” Rotellini’s role.

“She, of all the lawyers who claim credit for the litigation, deserves the recognition,” wrote Novak. “She worked tirelessly in leading both public and private lawyers through three plus years of hard fought battles,” he wrote, and praised her as a “formidable foe.”

“I am honored to have the support of such a respected and accomplished attorney as Ed Novak,” said Felecia Rotellini. “I am deeply grateful to Ed, and to all of the lawyers with whom I’ve worked during my 24 years as an attorney in Arizona who have shown their support for me throughout the campaign– Independents, Democrats and Republicans. Together we are standing up for an Attorney General’s office that is run according to the interests of the people, not party politics.”

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