Majority Whip of Arizona Senate Expelled Amid Vote-Selling Case
The Arizona Senate on Wednesday expelled Majority Whip Carolyn Walker, who has been charged with accepting payoffs for pledging to support gambling legislation.
Another state senator indicted in the vote-selling scandal, Jesus Higuera, resigned a day earlier. He was the fifth indicted legislator to quit.
In all, 16 people, including seven lawmakers, have been charged in the case. Four of the legislators have pleaded guilty.
Lawmakers snared in the case were shown on videotape taking payoffs from a government informant who posed as an agent of the mob and sought their support for an effort to legalize casino gambling in Arizona. The legislation was not passed.
Higuera was accused of accepting $4,040 after agreeing to support legalized gambling. Walker was accused of accepting $24,660 in cash in return for promising to support legislation on gambling and other issues.
Walker, a Democrat from Phoenix, was not present Wednesday for the Senate vote and did not return calls inviting her to comment on her expulsion. Her lawyers said that she would continue to fight the charges.
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