State Ethics Complaint Becomes Federal Investigation for Senator Ortiz After Ice Posts

An Arizona Democratic senator is now under federal investigation after being accused of interfering with immigration enforcement and potentially endangering federal agents by sharing their personal information. 

The case has escalated from a state ethics complaint to a federal criminal matter in just days.

Senator Shawnna Bolick, who runs the ethics committee, received the complaint on September 2 targeting Senator Analise Ortiz. The accusations claim Ortiz may have shared identifying details about federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers working in Arizona.

Shawnna Bolick announced she would send a referral letter to the U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaîne, stating that the nature of the accusations requires review by federal law enforcement rather than a state-level investigation alone.

Background

As we previously reported, the dispute began when Senator Analise Ortiz posted on Instagram on August 5, warning her community that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were near Southwest Elementary School in South Phoenix.

The social media post quickly drew criticism from those who accused Ortiz of interfering with federal law enforcement. Critics called for her to face charges over the warning.

The ethics committee chair then referenced legislation Bolick helped pass in 2021, addressing the unauthorized distribution of personal information online. 

Furthermore, when HB 2502 became state law, it made it a Class 1 misdemeanor to share someone's personal information online without permission when intended to provoke harassment from others.

Bolick emphasized concerns about the potential dangers of releasing information about federal ICE agents, describing this circumstance as potentially life-threatening.

Bolick explained that federal prosecutors need to finish their investigation before the state committee can decide what to do next. 

Official Statements

Bolick described the allegations as serious matters that could impact public safety and federal law enforcement effectiveness. She then emphasized her commitment to ensuring Ortiz receives an appropriate legal investigation while following established constitutional and procedural standards.

Senator Ortiz hasn't made any public statements about the accusations or the federal referral yet.

The timeline for federal review remains unclear, but the committee's actions will depend mainly on findings from the U.S. Attorney's Office investigation.