On Thursday, Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery joined Tempe Islamic Community Center spokesperson, Kristy Sabbah in condemning what he described as a “spurious” report from the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The “spurious” article focused on the case Tahnee Gonzalez and Elizabeth Dauenhauer. On March 4, 2018, the two women filmed themselves entering the Islamic Community Center and while there used racial slurs and committed burglary.
According to Montgomery, the settlement negotiations include all parties.
“My office places a high emphasis on acting as a partner with our community—building and strengthening relationships with all who reside in our County,” said Montgomery. “Since the incident in March, I initiated contact with Imam Shqeirat, the staff and members of the Islamic Community Center and met with them on April 4 at the mosque to foster communication and understanding with their membership and leaders.”
“To assert that this case is being handled in an unusual manner is irresponsible and provocative,” continued Montgomery. “Over the course of my years as County Attorney, there have been multiple instances where I have been directly involved in working out a just resolution to cases. The fact that I have chosen to not publicize those instances is to ensure that the emphasis remains on the pursuit of justice and not the pursuit of publicity. As a matter of policy, I am apprised of actions and potential offers in most high profile matters that come to this Office. This case is no exception.”
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“The Islamic Community Center of Tempe is a welcoming community,” said Sabbah. “We open our doors to those of other faiths unfailingly. To see these women coming to the mosque with their children and saying such comments filled with hate and instilling such hate in their children was heartrending. With that being said, we’re a forgiving community. We have been in close contact with Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery and his office from the beginning. We are aware of the talks of a plea agreement. We would like to see some good come from this heinous attack. We are open to offering an informational and educational session to these two women, their children, and the community at large. We would also like to see community service hours served here at the Islamic Community Center in lieu of a restitution settlement.”
Montgomery claimed that the “SPLC has been radicalized, paid out millions for mischaracterization, and has millions hidden in offshore accounts. They should not be cited by any self-respecting media outlet.”
The SPLC article cited an expert who said it’s “extremely unusual” to see Montgomery “take such a special interest in this type of case.”
Due to the political nature of the case and the media coverage, many believe that it would have been unusual if Montgomery hadn’t taken a special interest in the case.