The military fails to provide information to public
An update on the Abraham Hamadeh investigation and the military's failure to release public records.
I’ve been fighting with the US Army Reserves and Judge Advocate General for months over turning over any “releasable portions” of the investigation into Abraham Hamadeh, the GOP candidate for Arizona attorney general, and they waited until the day before Election Day to deny the request outright.
After having it confirmed right after the primary election (noticing a trend?) that there was in fact an investigation into Hamadeh, a former US Army Reserve officer, I have sent multiple requests for any information about what was being investigated.
Hamadeh has refused to comment on any part of the very real investigation other than to deny any knowledge which of course is total bullshit.
This is what he told KTAR:
“This is exactly what happens in campaigns. What the opposition does, they file these public complaints so they can try to use these tactics against us, but I’m very proud of my military service. Whatever type of investigation that has been going on or if it’s going on, I’m not aware of.” - Abraham Hamadeh on September 12, 2022
After sending my request, it bounced around to at least four different sections of military officials before I was told the request was complete and would be coming shortly.
Over the next two weeks I was deliberately ignored by the officials who were apparently the only people who could release the records to me.
Several calls and emails later, I was assured I would get a response.
On Nov. 7 at 2:14 pm, my request was completely denied. It took them roughly three months to string me along only to deny the request.
“No information is releasable to you. The documents are withheld from release in accordance with FOIA Exemptions 6 and 7(C), 5 U.S.C. §§ 552(b)(6) and (7)(C), as release of any information would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of the personal privacy of the individuals concerned,” read the official Department of Defense stamped letter.
“Withholding this investigation is consistent with official Department of Defense FOIA policy, which directs that information should not be released from investigations concerning alleged employee misconduct.”
Not that it adds much, but since we have very little to go on in this incredibly serious investigation it says it’s “allegedly employee misconduct” that Hamadeh is being accused of.
Depending how serious that misconduct is and if Hamadeh is found guilty of wrongdoing it could have major implications on the attorney general’s office if he defeats Kris Mayes, the Democrat running against him.
We will likely know in the next several days who will be attorney general in what will be a very close race.
If Hamadeh wins and the investigation results in wrongdoing it could carry enough weight where Hamadeh is forced to resign or be removed from office. In that case we look to ARS 16-230.
“If a state office becomes vacant, the governor shall appoint a person of the same political party as the person vacating the office to fill the portion of the term until the next regular general election… If the vacancy occurs within the first two years of the term, and before the date on which a nomination paper is required to be filed as prescribed by section 16-311, a primary election shall be held as otherwise provided by law to determine candidates to fill the unexpired term.”
Two things to note here.
The winner of the governor’s race between Kari Lake and Katie Hobbs could determine who the next attorney general is in this hypothetical scenario. They would have to appoint a Republican, but a Hobbs Republican pick1 would be vastly different than a Lake Republican. It’s pretty clear only one of them will pick an AG who won’t desecrate the state and U.S. Constitution and continue to uphold whatever is left of democracy come January.
Since the hypothetical vacancy would be well within the first two years, it seems like voters would get a special election for AG likely in 2024, a presidential year possibly with Donald Trump on the ballot. Also with another U.S. Senate race.
I will still be closely monitoring this situation as best I can and if you know someone in the military who might feel compelled to leak me some documents, I am on Signal.
Names that come to mind for Hobbs: Mesa Mayor John Giles, former U.S. Attorney Paul Charlton, Maricopa County Board Chairman Bill Gates or even former elections director and Hobbs’ general counsel Amy Chan. Compare that to someone who would align with Lake’s values like Jack Wilenchik, Tim La Sota, Bryan Blehm, Eddie Farnsworth or Rodney Glassman.