A former elected Arizona utility regulator has pleaded not guilty to bribery and fraud charges accusing him of accepting payments from a water company owner in exchange for favorable treatment in a rate case.
Former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce entered the pleas Wednesday during his first court appearance in the case.
Water company owner George Johnson, lobbyist Jim Norton and Pierce's wife Sherry also pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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Prosecutors say Pierce was funneled $31,000 and was the intended recipient of a $350,000 property in exchange for favorable votes for the company.
Johnson is accused of making the payments to Pierce and Pierce's wife through Norton to help secure approval of higher rates for Johnson Utilities.
