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ABC15 Investigation about Maricopa County's $347 million court tower project is creating a stir in the Valley.
The project raises "grave concern for the financial well being and financial stability of Maricopa County," according to County Treasurer Charles Hoskins.
In a news release issued Monday, Hoskins also wrote, "a Channel 15 investigative report aired last night which exposed disturbing facts about the funding of the Court Tower."
The investigation shows how the county is digging into your tax dollars to build a new state of the art courthouse with a hefty price tag.
County records reveal the $347 million courthouse will be lined with marble, travertine, decorative porcelain tile, and wood floors.
"That report raised additional concerns about improper conduct by the Board of Supervisors, not the least of which is the refusal of the Board to provide public records to a major television network, effectively denying the public of the right to know how their tax dollars are spent," the news release continued.
Hoskins is referring to Maricopa County's refusal to release thousands of public records to ABC15.
For months, the ABC15 Investigators requested to see all billing information, invoices, receipts, and emails regarding the project.
The Investigators were allowed access to review blueprints, architectural drawings, pre-design studies and some basic contracts, but the county is refusing to turn over everything that was requested.
Those records are being kept behind locked doors in an office on the third floor of the county administration building.
A note on the door reads, "NO ADMITTANCE. KEEP LOCKED AT ALL TIMES."
Click here for video of this roomWhen asked why we were not able to review the records, a county spokesperson told ABC15, "Our lawyers have not had a chance to screen the records for privileged information."
Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox told us, "We're building a court tower for efficiencies and cost savings for the county."
When asked if it was necessary to use high-end materials, Wilcox said, "We don't want to put in cheap materials just to get a lower cost and have it fall apart on us in ten years."
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is already conducting a criminal investigation into the project, its price tag, the bidding process, and how it’s being funded.
"These latest developments exposed by ABC News are an outrage," Hoskins said in his press release.
Hoskins has sent a letter to state lawmakers requesting they launch an investigation of their own.
Let us know what you think.
Read the original investigation here -- and post a comment at the bottom of that page. We'll take your comments to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for reaction.
