Feds: Arizona Bribery Scheme Discovered During "Larger Investigation"

The federal probe that resulted in the indictment on bribery charges of former Arizona utility regular George Johnson and three others resulted from a "much larger and more intensive investigation." The disclosure was made in court papers filed Monday by the lawyers for two of the co-defendants in the case.

Lawyers for former Arizona Corporation Commission member Gary Pierce and his wife, Sherry, filed papers that include a letter from prosecutors responding to a request for discovery.

"All of you certainly know that the facts that resulted in the indictment of your clients were discovered during a much larger and more intensive investigation," prosecutors wrote. "We do not want persons who are unrelated to this case getting their hands on evidence that the FBI has gathered in an on-going investigation.

"We do not seek to limit your use of the evidence in defending your clients. And we do not seek to prevent your clients from telling anyone they wish that they were interviewed by the FBI or what they said to the FBI." (Subscribe to local news alerts on Patch).

Prosecutors do not elaborate on what the larger investigation might be.

Both Pierces, Johnson, and lobbyist Jim Norton have all pleaded not guilty.

The trial is scheduled to begin in October.

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