article

PHOENIX – A longtime district attorney in a rural eastern Arizona county facing criminal charges of misusing public funds will take a pay cut just days before he is up for re-election unopposed as a Democrat in the vote of the elected in the county on Thursday.

Michael Whiting’s law license will also be suspended, according to a post from the Arizona State Bar, pending the resolution of his disciplinary case against him, bar records show.

Both actions become effective on Friday.

Neither Whiting nor his attorney, Bruce Griffen, responded to messages seeking comment about the three-member vote. Apache County The Supervisory Board, which met in St. Johns, Arizona.

READ MORE: AZ AG: Apache County DA embroiled in investigation into alleged misconduct

Watch FOX 10 Phoenix live:

Whiting and his wife, Joyclynn “Joy” Whiting, the county school superintendent, were indicted in August by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes on allegations that the couple used nearly $80,000 in surveillance funds to buy a new truck that was used primarily by Michael Whiting. They pleaded not guilty.

Michael Whiting also faces eight others taxes including stealing and altering public records and threatening a person who was trying to run against his wife for superintendent.

The Whitings, both Democrats, were running unopposed for re-election. However, two challengers emerged in the county, and Whiting said if he wins, he cannot serve because his law license is suspended.

Michael Whiting has been the county attorney since 2008. Joy Whiting was first elected superintendent of schools in 2020.