Statement on Recorder Heap's False Claims
“Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap’s latest statement is a parade of falsehoods, misrepresentations and strawmen. Hopefully, Recorder Heap is being more truthful with the special prosecutor looking into these issues than he has been with our Board and Maricopa County residents and voters.”
Fact-checking Recorder Heap’s false claims
FALSE: “The Board Sat On These Baseless Allegations More Than Three Months”
FACT: The Board immediately initiated an internal inquiry with which the Recorder’s Office refused to participate. The outcome of this inquiry was shared with the Recorder’s Office. Due to the alarming findings, the Board shared the matter with the County Attorney’s Office, which decided to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate further.
FALSE: “The Scanner Belongs To The Recorder's Office”
FACT: The scanner was purchased with Elections Department funds. The Board has controlled the scanner and paid for its maintenance and upkeep since its purchase.
FALSE: “The Scanner Was In Storage Inside Recorder’s Office Areas”
FACT: The scanner was actively in use by the Elections Department and stored in space at MCTEC that houses Elections Department employees, who work under the authority of the Board of Supervisors and were present and questioning the removal of the scanner.
FALSE: “The Claim That “Live Ballots” We’re Removed Is False”
FACT: No, Board statements have mirrored what is in the HR report, which found Recorder’s Office employees removed what "appears to be provisional ballot affidavit envelopes" and potentially provisional ballots from a secure area, the locked “ballot cage” within MCTEC. We emphasized that a ballot count the following day determined all envelopes and ballots were accounted for.
FALSE: “The Board’s Scanner Narrative Is Equally Meritless”
FACT: Authorities with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office recommended the Board purchase a new scanner to replace the machine that Recorder’s Office employees had removed from a secure election facility. That incident created significant chain-of-custody and election integrity concerns.
FALSE: “The Board Has Weaponized Government Against Innocent Election Workers”
FACT: The Board has consistently protected employees. The Board was not planning on commenting on this incident until the independent investigation was complete and all the facts were determined. On Monday, Recorder Heap himself chose to publicize this matter when he asked the court to short-circuit the work of a special prosecutor. That action alone raises questions about his desire to uncover the facts, whatever they may be.”
|
