Superior Court judge takes over Maricopa Municipal Court after financial audit

The Arizona Supreme Court ordered last week that Pinal County Superior Court's presiding judge Stephen McCarville take over the daily operations of Maricopa’s municipal and justice courts after an audit revealed the courts “failed to make regular daily deposits.”

According to an administrative order handed down Thursday from the state’s highest court, the audit led to the “discovery of cash and checks in unsecured areas within the courthouse.”

The justice and municipal courts are in the same building at 19955 N. Wilson Ave.

In addition, the state treasurer’s office did not receive any money from the municipal court for nine months in 2013 and one month in 2012.
“Both courts also delayed disbursing bond and restitution payments and processing mail-in and online payments,” the order states.

Heather Murphy, spokeswoman for the Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Office of the Courts, said one person was no longer employed. More information about this employee was not immediately available.

City officials confirmed local Judge Scott Sulley is still acting as Maricopa’s magistrate. The presiding judge of the municipal court is appointed by council.

Murphy explained the steps taken by the high court described in the administrative order are part of standard operating procedure whenever questions are raised about a court’s finances or operations.

The procedure allows the Administrative Office of the Courts to do a “more detailed examination” of the finances in question, she said. It’s unclear how long McCarville will assume administrative control over the courts.

The independent auditing firm described in the administrative order was hired by the city of Maricopa. InMaricopa.com has requested the audit through a public records request.

A city official informed InMaricopa.com that the audit will be released Tuesday and the city would be available to comment on it at that time.

Kevin Donnellan, a spokesman for the state treasurer’s office, explained his office basically acts as a bank for the court system and does not provide any oversight of court payments.

The Supreme Court order states McCarville can issue orders that may be required to “correct deficiencies and ensure the proper and independent operations of the Maricopa Municipal Court and the Maricopa Justice Court.” He will have control over all court records, which cannot be altered or destroyed without his approval or approval of a designee.

Stay with InMaricopa.com for updates.