An Arizona State Representative is calling for an investigation into what many are calling a shady deal that led to the development of the state’s new $700,000 logo.
Arizona State Representative Teresa Martinez sent a letter to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell requesting an investigation into potential conflicts of interest involving Arizona Tourism Director Lisa Urias and contracts awarded to Urias Communications, the marketing agency she founded.
According to the Arizona Agenda, “The Office of Tourism spent the $700,000, which came from federal pandemic relief funds, on 57 in-person and digital listening sessions across the state, not to mention the $27,500 that went to the brother of the CEO of Urias’ marketing agency. He helped work on the logo with a separate graphic design company.”
This looks really bad — like, *really* bad.https://t.co/QVdMeShZ7j
— Brian Anderson (@AZBrianAnderson) November 21, 2024
“These reported facts, if true, raise significant questions about potential violations of Arizona’s conflict of interest laws,” Representative Martinez wrote in her letter. “All government officials must act responsibly, ethically, and transparently.”
In a press release, Martinez alleged that the contracts “may include a $250,000 non-competitive contract with the Arizona Department of Education’s Office of Indian Education,” and State Senator Jake Hoffman attempted to involve Republican Superintendent Tom Horne in the matter, claiming online that Horne “is wrapped up in this scandal too.”
However, according to Superintendent Tom Horne, the Arizona Department of Education “paid $15K on an expiring 1-year contract with Urias. ADE does not, nor will it, have a $250K contract with Urias. Get your facts straight.”
Senator, we paid $15K on an expiring 1-year contract with Urias. ADE does not, nor will it, have a $250K contract with Urias. Get your facts straight.
— SPI Tom Horne (@RealTomHorne) November 21, 2024
On Friday morning, the Arizona Department of Education demanded a retraction and released the following statement:
A number of reports have been published, without verification, that the Arizona Department of Education has a $250,000 contract with a marketing company associated with Lisa Urias. This is completely false and such reports must be retracted and corrected.
The document that has gained attention is not a contract at all, but a Competition Impractical document that was never approved. ADE has spent $15,225 with Urias for meeting planning services, but there has not been, nor will there be, a contract or expenditure for $250,000. Nor has any prior administration engaged in such a contract.