Arizona Politics for Conservatives: Sonoran Alliance
Arizona Politics, News, Commentary and Information with a Blatantly Conservative Worldview Presented by an Alliance of Writers, Activists, Consultants and Government Insiders.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 10, 2011
CONTACT: Mark Goldman
(PHOENIX, ARIZ.) – “Charging Scott with two misdemeanors makes it obvious they have no case and are merely trying to justify whatever time they spent during this extraordinarily prolonged investigation. ‘Reckless’ is a way to describe these charges and this investigation. Scott has maintained his innocence from the outset, even taking a successful lie detector test to reinforce this truth. He will be exonerated.” – Mark Goldman
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UPDATE: State Senator, Andy Biggs has been elected as the new GOP Majority Leader for the Arizona State Senate.
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The Arizona State Senate GOP Caucus has just voted to remove Senator Scott Bundgaard as GOP State Senate Majority Leader.
Details on the vote are not clear but Bundgaard’s removal may be based on other GOP senators seeing the recent domestic incident as a major distraction to his work in the senate.
Speculation of who might replace Bundgaard include Frank Antenori, Steve Yarbrough, Steve Pierce and Andy Biggs. Moving into that position would require the new Majority Leader step down from leadership on any current committees.
This is still very much a “he said, she said” story about what happened late one Friday night on Highway 51.
If Senator Bundgaard is telling the truth, Ballard will likely be prosecuted heavily for any number of crimes. But if Senator Bundgaard is lying, this will be the end of his political and professional career.
This is likely going to the courts but before it does, expect local media to run back and forth between Bundgaard’s attorney and Ballard’s spokesman.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2011
CONTACT: Mark Goldman
Arizona State Senator Scott Bundgaard Aces Lie Detector Test; Additional Information Developing
(PHOENIX, ARIZ. – MARCH 11, 2011) – Some have questioned the validity of Arizona State Senator Scott Bundgaard’s statements about an incident following a charitable event with his ex-girlfriend.
Can they do so now?
On Wednesday afternoon Bundgaard undertook an extensive polygraph test covering all of the relevant and tough questions concerning the incident in question. Please contact Mark Goldman for the test questions and results.
“Scott ducked no questions. And we sought out a polygrapher with excellent credentials. The result? He didn’t just pass the test, he aced it,” said Bundgaard attorney Mark Goldman.
“This has been a difficult couple of weeks for my family, my colleagues and all involved. Many rushed to judgment. I hope today’s results will give pause to some and encourage others to re-evaluate. I told people I would clear my name. This is one step in that process. There will be others in the next several days. We are working closely with law enforcement and are optimistic of a resolution soon,” Bundgaard said.
For more information or to obtain a copy of the report please contact Mark Goldman.
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The Arizona Guardian is reporting that State Senator Scott Bundgaard notified fellow Senate Republicans that a gun was involved in the recent highway altercation.
During a closed door session in which the GOP caucus was to consider the fate of the Majority Leader, Bundgaard revealed new information that his ex-girlfriend had pulled a gun on him while he drove home after the Dancing with the Stars event. Apparently, Ballard was intoxicated and angry and pulled the gun belonging to Bundgaard from inside the vehicle as they argued.
Nowhere in the police report does it mention that Ballard was intoxicated nor does it mention anything about a gun.
Sonoran Alliance has learned that Bundgaard apparently notified police about the gun during the incident. Phoenix police took down details about the make and model of the gun before returning it to him. Still there is no mention of the gun in their report.
Police also failed to mention that Bundgaard called a family member to assist at the incident and that a breathalizer test was performed.
This story continues to intensify especially as public criticism mounts against Bundgaard and new revelations about a failure to report critical details by Bundgaard, Ballard and the Phoenix Police Department enter the public arena.
Will Bundgaard’s shocking revelation be a game changer to the story or will the public see it as a desperate act? And will the Phoenix Police Department deny the latest claim or admit to another investigatory bungling? The courts will likely have the last word.
Here is the official police report for the alleged domestic violence incident that occurred between State Senator Scott Bundgaard and Aubry Ballard. (The Phoenix New Times was able to secure a copy of the report.)
Read the report and decide for yourself who is truly to blame. Both reports tell a he-said, she said account with both Bundgaard and Ballard claiming they were hit by each other. Both reports also tell two different stories of what the fight was about and what each person was threatening to do.
Looks like this will go to court for a jury to decide.
Here is the latest media coverage of the Scott Bundgaard – Aubry Ballard “domestic violence” incident:
When I first heard the breaking story, I contacted someone who I trust who could provide information about what had happened. Having known Scott Bundgaard for about 10 years, hearing about the incident was a complete shock. This was not the Scott Bundgaard I have known. It was later disclosed to me that Scott’s girlfriend had admitted to being “the jealous type” to others. I don’t know this to be the case but if the reports are correct that she was smashing her cell phone into Scott’s face and throwing his clothing out of the car as it drove down the 51, I would tend to believe those accounts. One question I have that has not been answered is whether or not Ms. Ballard had consumed any alcohol Friday evening. If Scott has been aware of this and she had jumped into the driver’s seat of his car, it would seem to be a reasonable thing for him to stop her from driving off while under the influence. If she had not consumed any alcohol, this question is completely irrelevant.
As far as the issue of declaring immunity, the only people who would know the answer to that are the police, Scott and Aubry. Given media accounts, it sure seems that Scott did not boldly proclaim “Diplomatic Immunity!” as some people have claimed. I don’t know the answer to this but we may find out.
Senator’s Ex Tells Her Side of the Story: MyFoxPHOENIX.com
Back to Ms. Ballard. Anyone who does the research online will note that she has been involved with a local organization called Project Streetlight/Branded Phx. According to the organization’s website, it is local leader in the eradication of child sex slavery/prostitution. Ballard is listed as a public relations representative to the organization according to a November, 2010 press release.
Senator’s Ex Tells Her Side of the Story: MyFoxPHOENIX.com
Another interesting note about this story is that Ms. Ballard participated in a competition called Miss Arizona Dream Girl sometime ago. On an ESPN website written by Gregg Easterbrook, a photo of what appears to be Ballard posing as Miss Arizona Dream Girl contains the following description, “Brad Twarowski of Spring Grove, Ill., notes that the Miss Arizona Dream Girl competition spreads the wealth by choosing someone every month; gawk at Miss Arizona Dream Girl of January, Aubry Ballard, here.” As of today, that photo of Miss Ballard wearing a bikini and sporting a power drill has been removed; However, a cached file of the page was captured on December 25, 2010 and is still available. (Apparently, ESPN updated the page yesterday.) Ballard currently works for a company that specializes in internet marketing and search engine optimization.
Senator’s Ex Tells Her Side of the Story: MyFoxPHOENIX.com
What does this all mean? Perhaps the best explanation of what really happened should take place in the legal courts because the court of public opinion is doing a pretty lousy job. Both Scott and Aubry deserve their day in court and the opportunity to set the record straight but in the meantime, it’s been nothing but a “have you stopped beating your wife, he-said, she said” media fiasco.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sunday February 27
CONTACT: Jason Rose
PHOENIX, ARIZ. FEBRUARY 27, 2011.
“We want to jointly apologize for allowing a private matter to interrupt the public – and especially for taking up the valuable time of law enforcement. The police officers who responded deserve thanks for their sensitivity and compassion.
We have cared for each other in the past; we wish the best for each other in the future. Like most relationships, ours has had some ups and downs, but it has always been based on our Christian faith and our respect for one another. With that in mind, we intend to go our separate ways now and put what happened Friday night and Saturday in the past.
Obviously, we’re both tired and embarrassed. Each of us would like to reclaim some privacy. We hope the media and the public can respect that decision. Thank you for your understanding.”
-STATE SENATOR SCOTT BUNDGAARD and AUBRY BALLARD
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 26, 2011
CONTACT: Jason Rose
PHOENIX, ARIZONA. FEBRUARY 26, 2011.
“Shame on an azcentral.com reporter for posting a story without even phoning me first. Here’s what might have been learned if that reporter had the decency and professionalism to do so. Last night, I was a participant in the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona ‘Dancing With The Stars’ charitable event to raise money for this fine organization. Other participants included Governor Brewer’s Chief of Staff Eileen Klein, Gallagher and Kennedy Partner Mike Gallagher, Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce and his wife, and numerous other business, political and community leaders.
I am proud to have helped raise thousands of dollars for this charity, so much so that my girlfriend, parents and other family members were in attendance. While I may not have won the competition it was a wonderful night for a wonderful cause. Perhaps my fault was failing to ask my girlfriend to meet with Kurt Warner’s wife about how to understand and support a spouse or partner for a ‘Dancing With The Stars’ competition.
Upon leaving the event I was accused of inappropriately touching my dancing partner, in front of my parents and family mind you, and she proceeded to throw my clothes and other things out of my car on a freeway as I took her home. I stopped on the freeway to retrieve these items. As I was doing so my girlfriend yelled that she was going to take my car and moved into the driver’s seat. I immediately returned to the car and asked her to get out. She refused. I had no choice but to pull her from the driver’s seat which resulted in marks on her knees. I had also had no choice but to stop her from punching me and risking highway safety, all of which resulted in a black eye for me and a busted lip (photos available upon request). The authorities arrived as I tried to retrieve my belongings from the highway. I have never inappropriately touched a woman and never would. Period. I was not intoxicated. There was no ‘domestic violence.’ Such conduct is offensive to me as it should be to all people. I waive any and all ‘legislative immunity.’ If I did something wrong, charge me. I did not.
While a personal matter, I understand the public interest and apologize to any and all for what has taken place. I will not hide behind statements. This was done so to set the record straight. I am available for any and all interviews and for any and all questions.”
- Arizona State Senate Majority Leader Scott Bundgaard
Recently, several groups of conservative activists asked me to run to help drive a conservative agenda among party activists state-wide and to help raise money for the GOP. Since Tom Morrissey jumped in to run, I removed myself from consideration in order to prevent splitting the conservative vote. I’ll continue to work with my legislative colleagues to reform government and reinvigorate our economy.
In the meantime, thank you to all of you who called, emailed, and texted me urging me to run. Your passion was inspirational and I look forward to fighting the good fight with you for years to come.