Johnson Utilities Owner, Former Regulator Charged With Conspiracy

An indictment in federal court charges a former Arizona utilities regulator and the owner of a utility with conspiring to approve higher utility rates in return for bribes. Prosecutors say that Gary Pierce, the former chairman of the Arizona Corporation Commission, took $31,000 from Gary Johnson, owner of Johnson Utilities.

The money was paid to Pierce's wife, Sherry Ann Pierce. according to the indictment.

Also named is Jim Norton, Johnson's lobbyist.

Pierce is accused of taking the bribes to approve a request from Johnson that would allow his personal income taxes be covered by the utility's customers as well as in return for pushing increases to help Johnson's company's bottom line.

Johnson and Pierce have not yet responded to the charges.

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