Clean Elections set to demand $4.7M repayment from candidates amid fraud allegations

The Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission is weighing whether to order Green Party candidates Risa Lombardo and Duwayne Collier and Republican Scott Neely to repay a combined $4.7 million in public campaign funds. Executive Director Tom Collins sent letters alleging the candidates' qualifying $5 contributions were falsely attributed to voters and that lump-sum deposits matching the reported totals arrived on or near the dates they applied for funding, rather than trickling in over months as claimed.

Collins' investigation, which he says corroborates earlier Arizona Mirror reporting, found donors listed as giving on identical dates whose only-ever contribution was that single $5 check. He also flagged unreported subcontractor payments and noted the state Green Party has accused Lombardo and Collier of being Republican plants meant to siphon votes from Gov. Katie Hobbs.

Lombardo could owe $2.8 million, Neely more than $1.1 million, and Collier over $739,000; Neely denies knowledge of the false donations, while Lombardo and Collier haven't responded to requests for comment.

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