Abuse of power & retaliationPolice & jail misconduct

Independent investigation finds Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos abused his office to target a political rival before the 2024 election

Confidence: Corroborated · 4 sourcesPima County · Sep 22, 2026

Subject of this story

Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff

Also named

Oversight

Pima County Board of Supervisors

Arizona Attorney General's Office

Affected

Heather Lappin, Lieutenant, Pima County Sheriff's Department; 2024 candidate for Pima County Sheriff

Aaron Cross, Sergeant, Pima County Sheriff's Department; deputies' union leader

What happened

An independent investigator retained by Pima County Human Resources concluded that Sheriff Chris Nanos and members of his senior command abused their authority by placing his 2024 election opponent, Lt. Heather Lappin, and union leader Sgt. Aaron Cross on administrative leave weeks before the election. A separate Arizona Attorney General review found potential policy violations but no criminal conduct. After Nanos submitted an unsworn written response to the Board of Supervisors' questions about the episode and his work history, the Board voted 4-0 in May 2026 to refer possible perjury allegations against him to the Arizona Attorney General's Office rather than seek his removal.

Sources (4)

AZ LuminariaPima County Sheriff Chris Nanos puts opponent Heather Lappin on leave just weeks before Election Day.

KOLD News 13An independent investigation found that Sheriff Chris Nanos violated code of conduct rules by using his office against political rival Lt. Heather Lappin before the 2024 election.

AZ LuminariaPima County supervisors vote not to remove Nanos, punt perjury allegations to state Attorney General's office.

BallotpediaChris Nanos assumed office as Pima County Sheriff on January 1, 2021; current term ends January 1, 2029.

Response

Chris Nanos

Statement given

Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.

What happened next (0)

No outcome recorded yet.

I saw an update

Take action →