Regulators to Investigate Water Utility in Bribery Scheme

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Corporation Commission has voted to review the rates, operations and finances of a San Tan Valley water utility company connected with an alleged bribery scheme.

The commission will also have a consultant look at a 2013 policy change that allowed 28 utilities officials to pass a part of their personal income tax burden onto customers.

The decision Tuesday comes after a former commissioner was accused of accepting bribes from company manager George Johnson. According to the indictment, Gary Pierce was given $31,000 to approve higher rates. Reports say Pierce also supported the policy change.

Pierce and his wife, Sherry, Johnson, and lobbyist Jim Norton all pleaded innocent to the charges last week.

Pierce’s former staff adviser has offered to help the commission’s hired consultant understand how the tax policy changes were made.