Thursday, February 23, 2006

Az treasurer Petersen says he won't seek re-election

The Associated Press

PHOENIX - State Treasurer David Petersen, the focus of a state investigation in which computers have been seized, announced yesterday he will not seek re-election.

Petersen, a 55-year-old Republican, issued a brief statement announcing he would not run for a second term and said he was proud of "positive changes" made in his office.

State Attorney General's Office spokeswoman Andrea Esquer declined to comment on reports of an investigation, saying she could not confirm or deny a probe involving Petersen, the subject of a scathing letter by a former assistant.

The treasurer is the state's chief financial officer and is the third in line of succession if a governor leaves office.

Petersen did not immediately return repeated calls from The Associated Press to his Mesa home and office, and his statement did not mention the investigation or the former aide's letter.

However, Petersen confirmed to the East Valley Tribune the investigation was going on, and his office's spokesman Tony Malaj told the AP that several computers were removed from the Treasurer's Office in the course of the investigation.

"We're trying to perform the good work" on behalf of the public but "we're minus a couple of computers," Malaj said. He added that he could not discuss other aspects of the investigation.

Former assistant Wanda Simeona said in a four-page letter to Petersen, with copies sent to other state officials, that she hoped taxpayers would find out that Petersen had let his children and a political supporter use his state computer and that it had to be repaired after misuse.

She told Petersen in the letter that he created a hostile work environment that caused many employees to leave.

"You made a mess of this office, the morale is horrible and people are leaving faster than they can be replaced," Simeona wrote. "For years, there was no turnover. Since you have been here, people are kicking down the doors to leave rather than enter."

Simeona wrote that Petersen pressured her to quit after she filed a complaint with the Arizona Department of Administration.

Petersen's office is being eyed by two veteran Republican legislators.

State Sen. Dean Martin of Phoenix said he will run for the treasurer's office and Rep. Laura Knaperek of Tempe said she was considering whether to run.

The Treasurer's Office employs about 30 people.