Sen. Tony Navarrete, a two-term state senator from Legislative District 30 accused of sexual acts with a minor, has heeded the calls for his resignation. Senate President Karen Fann, a Republican, and Democrat Leader Sen. Rebecca Rios issued a joint statement accepting the senator’s resignation.
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 had not been heard from or seen since then.
JOINT STATEMENT: Senate President @FannKfann and Democratic Leader @Rios_Rebecca have accepted Senator Navarrete’s resignation pic.twitter.com/ud9vnISmom
— Arizona Senate Democrats (@AZSenateDems) August 10, 2021
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.
After offering his resignation, Navarrete issued a statement denying the allegations.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will appoint a citizen panel to pick three candidates to considered to fill the vacancy left by his resignation.