As expected, the Maricopa County Attorney dropped charges against U.S. Senator Jeff Flake’s son and daughter-in-law in the death of 21 dogs at the Green Acre dog boarding facility last June.
Austin and Logan Flake were each charged with 21 felony counts and 7 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals. All four defendants have pled not guilty to the charges. One count of fraud will remain against Jesse and Maleisa Hughes, the parents of Flake’s daughter-in-law.
On June 21, 2014, more than 20 dead and injured dogs were discovered at Green Acre Dog Boarding near Greenfield and Queen Creek Roads in Gilbert after the owners left the dogs in the care of Flake’s son and his wife. The dogs were left in a crowded sweltering room without water.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation and submitted their findings to the County Attorney’s Office on August 27, 2014. The Grand Jurors of Maricopa County charged Jesse and Maleisa Hughes with 22 felony counts and 7 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and one felony count of fraudulent schemes and artifices.
Despite the Grand Jury’s decision, Montgomery blamed his decision on the fact that the defense raised questions about issues with air conditioning unit.” Montgomery claimed, “This could impact a Grand Jury’s charging decision and how we might present a case to a trial jury,” added.
“The State will confer with investigators and experts to ensure any open questions about the events that occurred at the Green Acre facility are fully answered before making a decision on re-charging allegations of animal cruelty,” Montgomery said.
Montgomery issued a statement noting that it was his “ethical and professional duty as prosecutors to review information presented to us by the defense and to assess what impact, if any, it has on our case.” While Flake’s family have benefitted from Montgomery’s sudden adherence to “ethical and Professional” duties, the prosecution of his political enemies continues.