"Because this is an ongoing case, we will not be making any further comments regarding this matter," a Biggs spokesman said in a statement. Biggs, a former Arizona Senate president, also hired Sherry Pierce to work in his staff. Matthew Benson, who is acting as Norton’s spokesman, declined to characterize Norton’s relationship with the governor.Īxiom ran Biggs' successful campaign for the 5th Congressional District seat in the East Valley. Norton over the years has built relationships with some of Arizona's top elected officials.ĭaniel Scarpinato, a spokesman for Ducey, confirmed that Norton and the governor have been friends since their days as students at Arizona State University. Norton "seemed to be a pretty influential guy down at the Capitol because of his ties to certain Republicans,” Meyer said. The pair subsequently ran two Arizona-based dark-money groups affiliated with the conservative Koch brothers' network.Įric Meyer, a former Democratic lawmaker who spent eight years at the state Capitol, said Norton “seemed to be very close to the Ducey administration,” a conclusion he based on conversations with lawmakers about why certain legislation advanced or didn't.
The governor's staffers blanch at that characterization. But Noble was involved with the 2012 congressional campaign of former state House Speaker Kirk Adams, who is Ducey's chief of staff.
There's a widely held perception at the Capitol that Axiom's clients can get access to Ducey, as well as high-profile state lawmakers. Matt Salmon's chief of staff, left Capitol Hill last year and joined the firm. Norton is the firm's managing partner, working with other well-known consultants, including Sean Noble, a political operative who distributed millions of dollars in so-called "dark money" to assist Ducey's gubernatorial bid in 2014, as well as other conservative campaigns. Norton's reputation and clients allowed him to leave the public-affairs firm R&R Partners in 2015 and establish a new firm, Axiom Public Affairs. The Chamber of Commerce did not respond to requests for comment. By Friday afternoon, a list of Norton's clients no longer appeared on the chamber's website. With a background in state government, Norton represents a wide range of powerful businesses, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as feel-good non-profits such as the March of Dimes, according to a client list on the chamber's website.Īlso among his clients: defense contractor Raytheon and the cities of Phoenix and Goodyear. Utility owner, ex-regulator, lobbyist indicted on bribery, fraud chargesįBI questions former utility regulator, APS, Corporation Commission "The motivation behind these allegations will become transparent when the identity of the ‘unindicted co-conspirator’ is revealed," Ivan Mathew, Norton's legal counsel, said in a written statement. “I am innocent and will be entering a plea of ‘not guilty,’ " he said in the statement. "I look forward to my day in court, when I am confident these allegations will be shown to be without merit.” In a written statement Friday, Norton declared his innocence. I think it’s probably a lot more complicated than what we have learned about." "I am really shocked and I’m really confused about the whole situation," Brewer said. "It just seems like such a web that has been woven. Jan Brewer who dealt with Norton and his clients during her decades at the state Capitol. "I really don’t know what to say," said former Gov. And the reaction in political circles to the indictment has been a mix of shock, disbelief and, in some cases, silence. In lobbying, reputation and credibility are vital. Norton, along with Johnson, Pierce, and Pierce's wife, Sherry, were named in the eight-count indictment, as well as "an unindicted co-conspirator."
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