Official Statement

Latino Organizations Request for Arizona Attorney General Investigation Into Olivia Cortes / Tea Party / Russell Pearce Supporters

Phoenix, AZ — A broad coalition of National Hispanic organizations are joining forces in support Arizona National Latino Peace Officers Association (NLPOA)’s formal request to conduct an investigation of any wrongdoing, into the events surrounding the Russell Pearce’s Cortez scandal and upcoming special election to be held November 8, 2011. SOMOS REPUBLICANS (largest Hispanic Republican group in the nation) and the National Tequila Party Movement (a Latino counter-movement to the Tea Party Movement), are in full support of NLPOA’s letter below:

Dear Attorney General Horne:

On behalf of the Arizona National Latino Peace Officers Association (NLPOA), this letter is submitted as a formal request to conduct an investigation of  any wrongdoing, into the events surrounding the Russell Pearce’s Cortez scandal and upcoming special election for the recall of Senate President Russell Pearce to be held November 8, 2011.

The NLPOA is the largest Latino law enforcement organization in the United States, with local chapters in many cities throughout the country, including Puerto Rico.  Its membership includes Chiefs of Police, Sheriffs, Police Officers, Correctional Officers, Parole Agents, and Federal Officers, all of whom are employed at the local, county, state, and federal levels.  The mission of the NLPOA is to foster a fraternal, professional Association that provides support, advocacy, personal, professional, and leadership development to its members, and a strong commitment to community service.

The Arizona Chapter of the NLPOA is troubled by the recent actions of Tea Party members, and supporters of Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce for fabricating an illegal scheme to defraud Arizona voters.  Olivia Cortes, a Hispanic female, was either persuaded or willingly participated in a sham candidacy to run against State Senator Russell Pearce in the upcoming recall election.  It is clear that this was an attempt to mislead Hispanic voters to vote for Olivia Cortes, instead of Republican Jerry Lewis; State Senator Russell Pearce’s legitimate opponent in the election.

This attempt to manipulate the outcome of a state ordered election should be investigated for any wrongdoing under Arizona Revised Statues.  The Arizona Constitution, Article 7 section 12 charges the Legislature with the duty to “maintain the purity of elections.”

Arizona case law has held that attempting to place a “diversionary candidate” on the ballot is illegal.  A “diversionary candidate” is one who is in the race solely to divert votes from a particular candidate so as to give an advantage to another candidate this is a violation of ARS 16-1006, a class 5 felony.

In recent Maricopa County Superior Court hearings evidence was obtained that indicates there is more than enough probable cause to open an investigation, to determine if there were any criminal actions involved in defrauding the voters of Legislative District 18.

·   Olivia Cortes was recruited to run as a fraudulent and diversionary candidate by Senator Russell Pearce supporters.

·   Greg Western, Chairman of the East Valley Tea Party and Olivia Cortes’ campaign advisor and a Russell Pearce campaign committee member, persuaded Olivia Cortes to sign her Political Committee Statement of Organization and run for the State Senate to divert Hispanic votes from Jerry Lewis in order to benefit Senator Russell Pearce.

·   Under oath before Superior Court Judge Edward Burke’s Court Russell Pearce supporters admitted they put Olivia Cortes on the ballot to divert Hispanic votes away from Republican Jerry Lewis.

·   Judge Edward Burke wrote that Greg Western’s testimony in his court was too improbable to believe.  Greg Western testified under oath that he had no idea who designed, posted, and paid for campaign signs supporting Olivia Cortes or who paid the professional petition circulators.

·   Olivia Cortes admitted in Judge Burke’s court that she had no knowledge of who paid for campaign signs supporting her candidacy or who paid for the professional petition circulators.

·   State Senator Russell Pearce’s brother, North Mesa Justice of the Peace Lester Pearce and two nieces, Megan Sirrine and Shilo Session, were directly involved in circulating petitions for Olivia Cortes in order to place Olivia Cortes on the recall ballot to run against Senator Russell Pearce.  These family members of Senator Russell Pearce had no intention of supporting Olivia Cortes for Russell Pearce’s senate seat.

The Hispanic Community and the community at large are outraged that Olivia Cortes was used to help them commit voter fraud, by successfully placing her on the recall election ballot.  This example of voter fraud should be vigorously investigated and wrongdoers should be punished.  It is an injustice to ignore this gravity of voter fraud, and to allow this insult to the Hispanic Community and Arizona voters.

The NLPOA is requesting that the Arizona Attorney General’s office conduct an investigation into this unethical manipulation and apparent fraudulent scheme, and conspiracy by Tea Party members and Senator Russell Pearce supporters.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.  If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to contact me at 602-680-9985.

Sincerely,

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