Arizona lawmaker proposes law to expel county officials

PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona lawmaker says he’ll introduce legislation that would allow some elected county officials to be permanently removed from office.
State law allows only a temporary suspension for neglect of duty by a county assessor or treasurer.
The obscure law has come under scrutiny as Maricopa County Assessor Paul Petersen faces charges related to his adoption business that authorities allege was a human smuggling scheme involving pregnant women from the Marshall Islands.