AZ man claims state senator threatened him with defamation lawsuit

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Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Posted: 07/18/2012

PHOENIX - A Valley man is pointing the finger at an Arizona state senator, accusing the legislator of threatening him with a lawsuit.

Tony Valdovinos, 22, said the incident stemmed from his campaign efforts in support of Raquel Teran, who is challenging current State Senator Robert Meza in the Democratic primary for District 30.

Valdovinos said he received a call from Senator Meza, who allegedly threatened to file a defamation lawsuit against him because of what Valdovinos was telling constituents.

“I started to feel afraid of what I was doing,” Valdovinos said.

Senator Meza, however, flatly denied those allegations.

“I said, ‘Tony, behave professionally and intelligently',” Meza said.

The two sides differ on what Valdovinos told constituents, but each held firm in their account of the story.

 Meza, who is the current state senator in District 14, will take on Teran in the democratic primary on August 28th.

Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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