An Arizona State Representative is calling for an investigation into what many are calling a shady deal that led to the development of the state’s news $700,000 logo.
Arizona State Representative Teresa Martinez sent to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell requesting an investigate potential conflicts of interest involving Arizona Tourism Director Lisa Urias and contracts awarded to Urias Communications, the marketing agency she founded.
According to the Arizona Agenda, “The Office of Tourism spent the $700,000, which came from federal pandemic relief funds, on 57 in-person and digital listening sessions across the state, not to mention the $27,500 that went to the brother of the CEO of Urias’ marketing agency. He helped work on the logo with a separate graphic design company.”
This looks really bad — like, *really* bad.https://t.co/QVdMeShZ7j
— Brian Anderson (@AZBrianAnderson) November 21, 2024
These contracts include a $250,000 non-competitive contract with the Arizona Department of Education’s Office of Indian Education.
However, according to Superintendent Tom Horne, the Arizona Department of Education, under his leadership, “paid $15K on an expiring 1-year contract with Urias. ADE does not, nor will it, have a $250K contract with Urias. Get your facts straight.”
Horne was responding to an accusation by State Senator Jake Hoffman that Horne “is wrapped up in this scandal too.”
Senator, we paid $15K on an expiring 1-year contract with Urias. ADE does not, nor will it, have a $250K contract with Urias. Get your facts straight.
— SPI Tom Horne (@RealTomHorne) November 21, 2024
“These reported facts, if true, raise significant questions about potential violations of Arizona’s conflict of interest laws,” Representative Martinez wrote in her letter. “All government officials must act responsibly, ethically, and transparently.”
