An ethics panel of Arizona lawmakers found a pattern of bad language and threats by state Rep. Leezah Sun of Phoenix broke a rule against “disorderly behavior,” setting her up for possible censure or expulsion from the Legislature.
The state House Ethics Committee issued a 12-page report Tuesday that outlined its investigation of Sun, concluding that she lied in denying she threatened during a conference in Tucson she would throw a Tolleson official over a balcony and “kill her.”
The panel also found Sun responsible for other poor behavior, including using foul language and intimidation tactics during a June meeting with officials at Tolleson’s city hall; sending Instagram friend requests to the officials’ family members; interfering with a custodial dispute; threatening a school superintendent with a legislative investigation and then retaliating against the superintendent by attending a board meeting Jan. 9 to complain about his testimony about her.
Democratic leaders filed an ethics complaint against Sun in November after the series of troubling reports about her behavior. Two hearings followed in which Sun faced her accusers at the state Capitol, one in December and one on Jan. 27. Sun’s pro bono lawyer, Garrick McFadden, didn’t appear for the second hearing.