Calls for Resignation of Arizona Sheriff Amid Kidnapping Investigation
TUCSON, Ariz. — The sheriff of Pima County, Chris Nanos, is under pressure to resign from two members of the county’s Board of Supervisors. This follows allegations that he misrepresented his previous experience as a police officer in Texas before joining the department in the 1980s. These claims come as the investigation into the alleged kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, continues to attract national attention.
Guthrie has been missing for three months, prompting Nanos to lead the search while also facing lawsuits from both current and former department officials, along with ongoing coordination with the FBI.
“This is a pattern of behavior from someone who has evaded accountability for far too long, and it threatens public safety,” remarked Dr. Matt Heinz, a supervisor on the board.
Heinz, a Democrat, along with Supervisor Steve Christie, the only Republican on the board, indicated that they are considering a move to remove Nanos during the next meeting. They’ve cited allegations regarding discrepancies in his history of suspensions and disciplinary actions stemming from his time at the El Paso Police Department in the 1970s and 1980s.
However, they will need wider support to proceed successfully, and it’s uncertain if they will get it. “If the board opts against the dismissal, I think they might want to pass something meaningful, perhaps a resolution expressing distrust,” Heinz added.
Although Heinz can request an investigation into the alleged perjury on his own, a unanimous vote would add strength to the call.
Nonetheless, if an indictment arises from the investigation, Nanos would have no choice but to resign, Heinz warned.
Since the sheriff is an elected official, the board’s powers are somewhat limited, but Christie pointed to an 1873 Arizona law that might empower them to act. Nanos allegedly failed to meet a deadline to respond to the board’s questions under oath.
“He’s missed that window,” Christie noted, highlighting the urgency behind their next steps. “If he hasn’t resigned ahead of our meeting next week, those two board members are prepared to initiate removal.” He also expressed concern about the costs involved in utilizing external legal counsel.
Perjury allegations surfaced after the union president for county legislators provided a deposition, in which Nanos claimed he had never faced suspension as a law enforcement officer. Records, however, seem to contradict this statement, revealing multiple suspensions and a resignation in lieu of termination.
In his defense, Nanos’ lawyer noted that his resignation was tied to a dispute, suggesting that he opted to resign rather than face insubordination penalties. On the other hand, Heinz maintains this portrayal is inaccurate, arguing Nanos has a history of various disciplinary issues.
The investigation has seen some delays, with the FBI wanting DNA testing done at its Quantico lab earlier in the case, while Nanos rejected that approach at first. This led to tension between local authorities and federal investigators, which has simmered but resurfaced recently.
Both parties have made conflicting statements regarding the level of cooperation throughout this investigation, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced. Now, as the community remains concerned about the unresolved case, there’s a significant $1.2 million reward for information that can help bring answers. The family has encouraged anyone with details to contact the authorities.
