Curious Coincidence of Clues About Extortion, Bribery & Fraud Regarding Rate Increases For Water & Land?

Pieces of the puzzle of possible public corruption here in Mesa are finally emerging from the murky misdeeds of a former Mesa official and state regulator who allegedly had monies funneled to him in a vote for a rate increase in an influence-peddling case that's scheduled to go to trial on Wednesday over incidences six years ago. . . the FBI had to step in to get these indictments and charges asserted.
The Associated Press published this today Sunday, May 27, 2018 11:32 am

Ex-Arizona regulator charged with bribery heads to trial

By JACQUES BILLEAUD Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — About six years ago, an elected Arizona utility regulator who is now accused of accepting bribes had $31,000 funneled to him from a water company owner and tried to get the owner to buy him a $350,000 piece of land, authorities said.

In exchange, then-Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce voted for a rate increase that benefited the water company and approved a measure that lets the firm's owner use ratepayer money to pay his personal income tax bill, prosecutors said.

Pierce and three other people are scheduled to go on trial Wednesday in an influence-peddling case filed more than two years after Pierce left the commission due to term limits. . .
Authorities say the bribery allegations were discovered during a larger, unrelated federal investigation, though prosecutors have declined to reveal its focus.
Pierce, who left the commission in early 2015, has acknowledged he was questioned by FBI agents investigating the 2014 commission election.
Pinnacle West Capital Corp., the parent company of electric utility Arizona Public Service Co., was widely believed to have spent $3.2 million backing Republicans for the utility commission. Pinnacle West Capital disclosed in public filings in August 2016 that it received federal grand jury subpoenas seeking information on elections involving the commission and secretary of state.
The FBI said it was conducting a long-term investigation related to the financing of certain statewide elections in 2014, but it has not named APS.
READ MORE > here