The Arizona House Ethics Committee today issued its final report regarding the ethics investigation report involving Rep. Leezah Sun. The Committee determined that Sun committed a pattern of disorderly behavior in violation of House rules.
The matter is now headed to whole House for consideration of future actions to be taken.
Specifically, the Committee concluded:
Pursuant to its investigation and factual findings above, the Committee finds that the evidence sufficiently supports a conclusion that Representative Sun engaged in a pattern of inappropriate behavior in her official capacity and under the color of her office as a State Representative. The Committee finds that this pattern constitutes disorderly behavior in violation of Rule 1 of the Arizona House of Representatives.
The Committee notes that its findings are uniquely fact-intensive and require a subjective assessment of Representative Sun’s credibility. Accordingly, the Committee recommends that all members of the House fully examine this Report and the material cited herein. The Committee agrees, unanimously, that Representative Sun violated Rule 1. Based on this finding, and because Representative Sun’s violation of Rule 1 occurred in connection with her official capacity as a member of this House, the Committee deems it appropriate for the House as a whole to decide what disciplinary measures should be taken.
Democrat leaders in the House filed the ethics complaint against Sun early last November regarding threats she is alleged to have made. Multiple people subsequently testified that Sun’s behavior made them believe that she would assault them during a discussion about the repeal of certain transportation infrastructure funding. Alicia Guzman, Tolleson’s government affairs support specialist, described Sun as “unstable” and unpredictable.
In another incident, Sun allegedly stated that she desired to harm and murder a certain lobbyist, Pilar Sinawi, by slapping her and throwing her off a balcony. Sun also allegedly sent requests to follow family members of the officials online. These events caused the officials to fear for their safety, according to their testimony before the committee last month.
The complaint also alleged that Sun used her lawmaker status to intervene in a friend’s child custody dispute by preventing the court-ordered transfer of four children.
“As the Chairman of the Ethics Committee, I wish to emphasize the role our committee plays in addressing complaints brought forward by House members regarding potential violations of House Rules. It is important to clarify that our committee is not intended to emulate a court of law, and our investigation of matters is not conducted as a trial. Rather, the proceeding in which Committee members have engaged in this matter were to receive Representative Sun’s input and gather pertinent facts related to a specific internal House matter—namely, whether Representative Sun engaged in disorderly behavior, contravening House Rule 1,” said House Ethics Committee chair Rep. Joseph Chaplik.
“In line with principles of fairness and due process, Representative Sun, like any House member, was entitled to a judicious consideration of the allegations against her. I’m proud that the Committee strived at all times to satisfy this constitutional guarantee, conducting two hearings to provide a platform for Representative Sun to present her perspective,” continued Chaplik.
“I am appreciative of the witnesses, members, and staff of the Committee for demonstrating and upholding the integrity of the House and ensuring that our proceedings adhered to the highest standards of professionalism and fairness,” concluded Chaplik.