Former Arizona Supreme Court Justice Andrew Gould Appointed to Lead Senate Investigation into Hobbs Pay-to-Play Scandal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 21, 2026
PHOENIX, ARIZONA—Senator Jake Hoffman is announcing the next phase of the Arizona Senate's investigation into the alleged pay-to-play scandal involving Governor Katie Hobbs and Sunshine Residential Homes, transferring the proceedings to the Senate Committee on Appropriations and appointing former Arizona Supreme Court Justice Andrew Gould as special counsel.
The move strengthens the investigation with independent legal oversight while placing it before the committee responsible for scrutinizing state spending. Senator David Farnsworth chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
This transfer follows attempts by Governor Hobbs' allies to discredit the investigation before a single witness testified or one subpoenaed record was produced. During Senator Hoffman's press conference announcing the investigation, a reporter openly stated that her coverage would lead with Senator Hoffman's political disagreements with Hobbs.
"The crooked political media decided what this investigation was before it even began, because running cover for Katie Hobbs and Kris Mayes is more important to them than exposing potential corruption," said Senator Hoffman. "They are more interested in attacking the investigator than investigating the scandal and the necessary policy changes. Transferring the proceedings and placing former Justice Andrew Gould at the center takes away their excuses for non-cooperation, strengthens the investigation, and ensures the evidence, not their predetermined political narrative, drives any resulting legislative reforms."
The investigation was initiated after Attorney General Mayes declined to pursue charges and refused to release the evidence underlying her conclusions. The Senate will seek testimony and records concerning more than half a million dollars in political contributions, subsequent special taxpayer-funded rate increases awarded to benefit donors, decisions made within the Hobbs administration, and Attorney General Mayes' handling of the subsequent investigation.
"This investigation involves state contracts, agency spending, extraordinary rate increases, and millions of taxpayer dollars, placing it squarely within the oversight responsibilities of the Appropriations Committee," said Senator Farnsworth. "This transfer does not narrow the issues under investigation or diminish the Senate's resolve. It places the investigation where the money can be examined directly and adds an experienced former prosecutor and Supreme Court justice to lead that work. We will follow the evidence, examine how these decisions were made, and give every witness a fair opportunity to explain the events at issue. Only after that process is complete can we reliably identify gaps in current Arizona law and determine which statutory changes are most appropriate to help prevent future misappropriation of taxpayer dollars."
Special Counsel Gould previously served as a justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, a judge on the Arizona Court of Appeals, a Yuma County Superior Court judge, and a prosecutor in Maricopa and Yuma counties.
"This investigation will be conducted dispassionately and according to the law, with respect for individual rights, due process, and a disciplined review of the evidence," said Special Counsel Gould. "My responsibility will be to help the committee establish a complete factual record, evaluate testimony and documents objectively, and ensure its work is thorough, fair, and legally sound. No factual or policy conclusion should be predetermined. The evidence will determine where this investigation leads, and which reforms if any are ultimately recommended to the Committee."
A rescheduled committee hearing date will be announced in due course. The final product of the investigation is expected to be a written report summarizing all the evidence and recommending legislative reforms that ensure transparency and prevent corruption and the appearance of corruption in Arizona government.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus