Calls for Sen. Tony Navarrete, a two-term state senator from Legislative District 30 accused of sexual acts with a minor, are increasing. On Monday, Sen. Kelly Townsend went one step further and filed an ethics complaint against Navarrete.
Navarrete, a Democrat from Phoenix, was charged last Thursday with seven felonies related to sexual acts with a minor. On Saturday morning he was released from jail on a $50,000 bond and has not been heard from or seen since then.
Also on Monday, Senate President Karen Fann, a Republican, and Democrat Leader Sen. Rebecca Rios issued a joint statement reiterating their calls for Navarrete’s resignation.
“In light of the serious and disturbing charges against Sen. Navarrete we are joining together to call for the Senators immediate resignation. The circumstances serious nature of the felony charges faced by Senator Navarrete provide an untenable distraction from his role as an elected official and public servant for District 30. The Senator also now faces the Senate ethics complaint, and no one benefits from any further delay in his ultimate resignation. Child abuse and sexual misconduct of this kind is intolerable. We hope that Justice will be ultimately served and pray for healing and support for all victims.”
In her ethics complaint, Townsend calls for the ethics committee to immediately convene to examine the allegations against Navarrete and make recommendations regarding discipline. Townsend also called for Governor Doug Ducey to convene a Special Session of the Legislature for a vote of expulsion.
“Today, I received a formal ethics complaint filed by Senator Kelly Townsend against Senator Tony Navarrete. The complaint concerns accusation of child sex crimes, culminating in Navarrete’s arrest Thursday evening,” stated Kerr. “In my role as Senate Ethics Chair, I have already notified Senator Navarrete of this complaint filed against him and have sent a copy of the complaint to members of the Ethics Committee, recommending an investigation into the matter. My hope is that the committee will meet to review the complaint and pursue an investigation. Senator Navarrete has seven days to file a response to the complaint.”
“Senator Navarrete is facing serious felony charges. He should resign from the Senate,” concluded Kerr. “In the meantime, the Senate Ethics Committee will follow its process.”
Navarrete, 35, was recorded by police on Thursday as he spoke to one of his victims. He told the victim he regretted his actions. He said he would have to live with his bad acts for the rest of his life. According to the court records, when Navarrete was asked by this victim why he did it, he told the victim that he “wasn’t well.”
Navarrete allegedly touched the victim’s genitals with his hands and mouth, starting when the youth was around 12 or 13 and continuing through the teen’s 15th birthday. The victim, now 16, says he suffers from anxiety and anger.