Why am I not surprised? No politicians to be charged in Fiesta Bowl scandal

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

I could have written this post months ago and saved it. There was simply no way that well-connected politicians (or their lobbyist handlers) were ever going to be charged in the Fiesta Bowl scandal. We have allowed a culture of lobbyist corruption to flourish in Arizona since the AZ-Scam scandal years ago.

The Arizona Republic reports today No prosecution for Ariz. Fiesta Bowl ticket probe:

A prosecutor says more than two dozen Arizona politicians who received free game tickets or trips from the Fiesta Bowl won’t face criminal charges.

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery announced Wednesday that his investigation into whether the elected officials illegally accepted or failed to report the gifts did not find enough evidence to pursue criminal cases.

He blames inconsistent laws, vague reporting requirements and a requirement that prosecutors prove a defendant “knowingly” violated the law as factors in his decision.

Montgomery is calling on the state Legislature to toughen reporting requirements, ban gifts outright and make some violations a felony. Fiesta Bowl under fire: Gift ban urged for Legislature.

Federal authorities are separately investigating other aspects of the Fiesta Bowl scandal, including an alleged scheme to reimburse employees for political contributions. Only one former executive has been charged in that case.

Montgomery's office has been investigating since late April whether 28 legislators, at least three other public officials and three lobbyists broke laws in their connection to the bowl.

At least a dozen current or former elected officials amended financial-disclosure forms to reflect gifts from the bowl or other groups since the Fiesta Bowl made its disclosure.