Arizona state Senator Rick Murphy is under investigation by Child Protective Services and the Peoria Police Department for allegations of sexual abuse of foster children in his home, according to authorities.
The Arizona Republic first reported on the allegations on Thursday. On Saturday, Peoria Police opened a new investigation after an 18-year-old male, who was in Murphy’s care, came forward with allegations that Murphy had been inappropriately touching the teen since January 2007.
The teen also admitted to inappropriately touching a 12-year-old girl in Murphy’s care, the report said. The teen is listed as both a suspect and victim in the report, which lists Murphy as under investigation for molestation.
In 2011 Murphy was investigated for molestation. The case was closed due to a lack of evidence. The case has now been reopened due to the latest allegation. According to the Republic, the case was first opened in February 2011, with the alleged abuse occurring between January and February that year.
Murphy, who outraged fellow Republicans this past Legislative session, for claiming that he had to attend a once-in-a-lifetime family reunion rather than participate in the Medicaid expansion battle, only to try to bargain for the passage of his adoption legislation. The Yellow Sheet reported that their source said that Murphy’s demands were “so ridiculous.” Murphy has painted himself as an advocate for child-welfare issues related to adopted and foster children.
According to his legislative page and campaign website, Murphy has volunteered as a camp counselor and youth leader with his church and the Hemophilia Association.
On his site, Murphy notes that he has served as a junior-high youth leader and junior-high Bible study leader at Christ’s Church of the Valley and a camp counselor and former youth mentor for the Hemophilia Association.
Murphy attended community college in the early 1990s and earned his real-estate license in 1992. According to the Republic, Murphy lists his occupation as a real-estate agent on legislative and campaign materials, but state Department of Real Estate records show he let his license expire in November.