Six of Governor Katie Hobbs’ top staffers took free tickets to the Super Bowl, with one taking to social media to brag about it. Some are questioning whether the gift tickets violated state law.
The cheapest tickets priced in at around $4,000 in the weeks leading up to the game, while the most expensive cashed in at around $40,000. It’s likely Hobbs’ staff enjoyed tickets closer in price to the latter estimates, based on a live video one posted enjoying the opening festivities starting with Sheryl Lee Ralph singing the “Black National Anthem.”
Hobbs’ executive assistant, Janelle Pedregon, gleefully posted about the event to her public Instagram. The filmer and those in her immediate vicinity can be heard gushing in amazement at the festivities.
“This is wild!” said the filmer. “Woo! […] Do you guys see any celebrities? […] Where’s my man Travis [Kelce]? […] Sorry babe, but Travis is hot!”
Kelce is the tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs.
AZ Family discovered through public records that the Arizona Office of Tourism gifted Governor Katie Hobbs’ office 12 tickets. Of those, Hobbs’ staff helped themselves to half. The remainder went to education and veterans groups.
Some interpret Arizona law as saying that the governor may not accept such gifts. An attorney for the governor’s office insisted to AZ Family that the law didn’t apply in that situation because the Office of Tourism doesn’t lobby the governor’s office.
One could argue that this is a selective read of the law.
“A principal, designated lobbyist, authorized lobbyist, lobbyist for compensation, public body, designated public lobbyist or authorized public lobbyist or any other person acting on that person’s behalf may not make an expenditure or single expenditure for entertainment for a state officer or employee.” (emphasis added)
As AZ Family reported that Hobbs’ predecessor, Doug Ducey, prohibited his staff from taking free tickets to the 2015 Super Bowl due to concerns it would violate the law.
Some have countered that a latter provision in the law addressing “special events” exempts the Super Bowl tickets.
Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope said the free tickets made for a “cool scam” for Hobbs’ staffers.
“I purchased my nosebleed seats and these folks go for free in I’m sure way better seats than what I paid for?” said Shope. “Rules for thee but none for me is the mantra of Governor Hobbs’ administration I suppose.”
I purchased my nosebleed seats and these folks go for free in I’m sure way better seats than what I paid for? Cool scam for them eh @dennis_welch? Rules for thee and none for me is the mantra of the @GovernorHobbs Administration I suppose… https://t.co/vIeyFt2MdF
— T.J. Shope (@TJShope) September 15, 2023
Joining Pedregon in the prime Super Bowl seats were Jennifer Loredo, director of policy, legislative affairs, and intergovernmental affairs; Tracy Lopez, director of community and constituent engagement; Jason Chavez, director of tribal affairs; and Allie Bones, chief of staff.
Bones resigned just a couple of months later. It appears that even the perks of working for the governor don’t make up for actually working for the governor.