Ex-Gov. Mecham Says He Will Return Inaugural Ball Cash
Ousted Gov. Evan Mecham, convicted in a state Senate impeachment trial of misusing $80,000 of inaugural ball proceeds, said Wednesday that he will return what is left of the money to contributors.
The announcement ended several months of squabbling between Mecham, who insisted that the funds were private, and the state, which contended the $80,000 raised at his 1987 inaugural ball belonged to Arizona.
“That puts, I think, to rest the second of the impeachment charges,” he said at a news conference.
Because some of the money has been spent, Mecham announced previously that he would return the money at a rate of 72 cents on a dollar.
Mecham, 64, was removed from office April 4 by a state Senate court of impeachment. He was convicted of obstructing justice in connection with an alleged death threat made by an aide.
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