Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos Addresses Recall Push Amid Backlash in Nancy Guthrie Case
Chris Nanos said a recall effort against him is “the right of the people” as scrutiny over the Nancy Guthrie case intensifies.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has been facing immense scrutiny as he leads the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. From former FBI agents and other experts to members of the public, several have slammed his methods and urged his removal from the post.
Nanos addressed the issue while speaking to 13 News, saying that a recall effort is the right of the people.
13 News confirmed with the Pima County Elections Department that the effort was launched on March 12. “We’re aware of the recall, and it’s the right of the people,” Nanos said. “We’ll always honor the will of the people, and that’s what makes democracy.”
Chris Nanos said that a recall effort is the right of the people.
Nanos Faces Several Allegations
According to reports, the sheriff is also being accused of misrepresenting himself in his resume. Nanos has also been accused of previously lying about a suspension.
In an official email statement, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) said two “clerical errors” were found in Nanos’ employment history, which they said were “administrative in nature” and not intended to deceive the public.
“For clarity, Sheriff Nanos served with the El Paso Police Department from 1976 to 1982. His service with El Paso PD concluded in 1982, not 1984 as previously stated. Additionally, Sheriff Nanos was promoted to the rank of captain in 2007, not 2009,” said Angelica Carrillo, a spokesperson with PCSO, per 13 News.
A corrected version of his resume has been uploaded online for the public, Carrillo said.
Earlier, a $1.3 million lawsuit was filed against Nanos by a Pima County inmate citing health hazards in the lockup.
Daniel Butierez Launches Campaign Against Chris Nanos
Tucson Republican candidate Daniel Butierez is one of the people who launched the campaign to recall Nanos. He has 120 days to collect 120,000 signatures to trigger the recall.
Butierez, who is running in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District in November, said Nanos “has been an embarrassment to Tucson and to Pima County with this Nancy Guthrie case.”
“Everyone’s pretty disgusted, Democrats and Republicans,” he added, per the New York Post. “Together, we can restore integrity in Pima County. We need leaders who are honest and transparent,” he said in a Facebook video.
The video Daniel Butierez shared on social media.
“When you see something this troubling and serious going on with one of the county officeholders, it’s very, very important for us to investigate as fully as possible and to find out more information,” Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz said in The Arizona Republic.
The county’s Board of Supervisors has set up a meeting on March 24 to verify Nanos’ employment history.
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