SAFFORD — The Graham County Attorney’s Office is dealing with so many criminal cases and so understaffed, it’s had to go to outside attorney for help in prosecution.
During Tuesday’s regular meeting, The Graham County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved contracts with three more private attorneys for prosecutorial services.
“As you’re well aware, we’ve had really good attorneys working for our office that keep getting picked off by other counties,” said Graham County Attorney L. Scott Bennett.
C. Allen Perkins is retiring from the County Attorney’s Office at the end of this month, which leaves the County Attorney’s office with three vacancies. Perkins will contract through the end of the fiscal year, including prosecuting a murder case he’s already started working. Perkins contract is for $50,000 and runs through June 30.
Caron Close formerly served as chief deputy attorney for the Scottsdale Attorney’s Office. Susie Charbel is a former homicide prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Close and Charbel are both to be paid at a rate of $75 per hour.
“I believe we’re getting a pretty good bargain for that hourly (rate). So I think it’s a great fix for the time being, and hopefully we can get fully staffed soon,” Supervisor John Howard said.
The board also approved an amendment to the contract with Jeremy Waite, who is also assisting with prosecutorial duties. The amendment pertains to conflicts of interest; detailing that Waite will not represent in private practice anyone with an adverse position to the county or its employees. Also, if prosecution would create a conflict with a former client, Waite is to immediately disclose the relationship.
