Allister Adel. And why did she put JM on paid administrative leave, and does the fact she put him on leave mean much? A lot? Maybe not?
Here's a pretty good link about Adel's appointment, with some good general inferences about what her appointment could mean for JM.
What We Know About Allister Adel, New Maricopa County Attorney
To cut to the chase: she's a temporary appointment, in a HIGHLY political office, and almost certainly has further ambitions, legal and/or political, but certainly wants to be elected County Attorney in her own right, and for a full term.
To survive, much less advance, she MUST have Governor Ducy's support. She's been flagrantly obsequious to Ducy, so yep, she's gonna keep that box checked, no matter what.
And she's taken over for Montgomery, Ducy's hand selected AZ Supreme Court justice.
Common sense question: just how much is Adel going to be willing to criticize ANYTHING of any significance Montgomery did as Maricopa County Attorney?
My best guess: she's not going to be the slightest bit willing to do or say anything that would look like she's questioning Montgomery's judgement or significant decisions. Very much to include any of his decisions relating to JM.
Next best guess: putting JM on paid administrative leave is most likely a political gesture, intended to mollify those who want JM's head that she wants to rally to her side within MCAO. Without actually changing much about his current status within MCAO, since he hasn't been prosecuting cases since last fall anyway.
Putting JM on paid leave, though, also leaves all the exit doors for JM half open. Easier to kick him all the way to the curb that way, no doubt, if what it all comes down to is sacrificing JM becomes most politically expedient for Ducy. Or for Montgomery.
Here's a pretty good link about Adel's appointment, with some good general inferences about what her appointment could mean for JM.
What We Know About Allister Adel, New Maricopa County Attorney
To cut to the chase: she's a temporary appointment, in a HIGHLY political office, and almost certainly has further ambitions, legal and/or political, but certainly wants to be elected County Attorney in her own right, and for a full term.
To survive, much less advance, she MUST have Governor Ducy's support. She's been flagrantly obsequious to Ducy, so yep, she's gonna keep that box checked, no matter what.
And she's taken over for Montgomery, Ducy's hand selected AZ Supreme Court justice.
Common sense question: just how much is Adel going to be willing to criticize ANYTHING of any significance Montgomery did as Maricopa County Attorney?
My best guess: she's not going to be the slightest bit willing to do or say anything that would look like she's questioning Montgomery's judgement or significant decisions. Very much to include any of his decisions relating to JM.
Next best guess: putting JM on paid administrative leave is most likely a political gesture, intended to mollify those who want JM's head that she wants to rally to her side within MCAO. Without actually changing much about his current status within MCAO, since he hasn't been prosecuting cases since last fall anyway.
Putting JM on paid leave, though, also leaves all the exit doors for JM half open. Easier to kick him all the way to the curb that way, no doubt, if what it all comes down to is sacrificing JM becomes most politically expedient for Ducy. Or for Montgomery.