Disbarment
In April, 2012, a three member panel appointed by the Arizona Supreme Court voted unanimously to disbar Thomas. According to the panel, Thomas "outrageously exploited power, flagrantly fostered fear, and disgracefully misused the law" while serving as Maricopa County Attorney. The panel found "clear and convincing evidence" that Thomas and his deputy brought unfounded and malicious criminal and civil charges against political opponents, including four state judges and the state attorney general. "Were this a criminal case," the panel concluded, "we are confident that the evidence would establish this conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt."
Thomas has denied wrongdoing, calling the bar investigation a "political witch hunt." While he had the opportunity to appeal his disbarment, he chose not to.
Thomas' disbarment was the most expensive disciplinary proceeding ever in Arizona, costing approximately $577,000.
Read more about this topic: Andrew Thomas (prosecutor)