TUCSON, Ariz. — The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday not to remove Sheriff Chris Nanos from office and instead referred allegations of possible perjury to the Arizona attorney general.
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The discussion followed a board requirement that Nanos submit a report under a state law allowing supervisors to compel sworn answers from elected officials.
Nanos is also leading the investigation into the disappearance of Tucson resident Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing for more than 100 days.
During the meeting, Supervisor Steve Christy introduced a motion to declare the sheriff’s office vacant and begin the process of replacing Nanos immediately. The motion failed without a second.
Supervisors then considered a second motion, introduced on the advice of legal counsel, to take no action to remove Nanos under Arizona law and instead refer allegations of possible perjury to the attorney general’s office. The measure passed 4-0 with one abstention.
Board members said their decisions were guided by Arizona Revised Statutes 11-253, which allows a county board to require an officer to answer questions under oath. Under the law, removal is permitted only if the official neglects or refuses to comply.
Supervisors said legal counsel advised that because Nanos submitted the required report, the standard to declare the office vacant had not been met.
Supervisor Matt Heinz said the referral was intended to ensure accountability.
“Accountability has to apply to all of us in elected roles, and especially to those of us who are elected leaders in law enforcement,” Heinz said. “While the board couldn’t take some actions based on our legal advice, I think taking the action that we did is a step toward accountability and ensuring the people of Pima County that those in law enforcement are going to be held accountable under the law.”
The report from Nanos’ attorneys addressed questions about his work history, employee discipline within the department, the department’s budget, and interactions with federal immigration authorities.
Part of the controversy centers on how Nanos left a Texas police department more than 40 years ago.
In his report, Nanos said he resigned after a dispute with a supervisor. Critics argue records suggest he faced more serious disciplinary action and may have resigned to avoid being fired.
Heinz disputed Nanos’ characterization of his departure from the El Paso Police Department.
“We have the 88-page personnel history from El Paso,” Heinz said. “A disciplinary board said very clearly that he needed to be let go immediately, and he was forced to resign in lieu of termination. That is not what he told the Board of Supervisors under oath.”
Heinz said those discrepancies warranted further review by state authorities.
“For that and some other inconsistencies in his report to us, that should be reviewed by a higher authority, and that would be the attorney general,” he said.
Supervisors also focused on the sworn testimony Nanos gave in a lawsuit late last year.
In the deposition, Nanos said he had never been suspended as a law enforcement officer. However, records from his time with the El Paso Police Department indicate he had been suspended.
Nanos’ attorney said the sheriff misunderstood the question and believed it applied only to his service in Arizona, a response that drew criticism during public comment.
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One speaker during public comment said:
“There were no mincing of words. That was a clear-cut question. Clear-cut question. Do the right thing and remove him from office.”
Beyond the legal issues, supervisors raised concerns about leadership and morale within the sheriff’s department.
Supervisor Rex Scott pointed to what he described as a lack of trust among employees, referencing a no-confidence vote by the Pima County Deputies Organization.
Scott said the department is facing “a real crisis of confidence” and called on Nanos to rebuild trust by acknowledging concerns, engaging with staff, and developing a plan to improve relationships within the department.
“We want to see the sheriff work to repair that relationship and really be the leader he needs to be for the deputies, for the correctional officers, and everyone else in that department,” Heinz said.
The board said its role moving forward is to continue listening to the community and ensure public safety services remain strong.
In a statement to 12News, Nanos’ attorney, James Cool, defended the sheriff’s actions and said he intends to continue his work.
“The Sheriff is grateful for this opportunity to report to the Board on his department’s many successes,” the statement said. “The Sheriff heard the words of the supervisors tonight, and he looks forward to continuing his work to promote trust and public confidence in the Sheriff’s Department.
“As for the referral, we will cooperate with any inquiry that follows. The Sheriff has been entirely truthful and has nothing to hide.”
With the board declining to pursue removal, the allegations have now been referred to the Arizona attorney general’s office, which will review the matter and determine whether further action is warranted.
The attorney general’s office declined to comment on the issue this evening.
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