The Criminal Division's mission is to protect the citizens of Arizona by successfully investigating and aggressively and fairly prosecuting criminal cases within the State of Arizona and in representing the State in capital and non-capital appeals.
The Criminal Division is comprised of eight sections:
Drug & Racketeering Enforcement Section
The Drug & Racketeering Enforcement Section (DRG) combats major drug trafficking in Arizona. This includes prosecuting individuals and organizations that traffic in illegal drugs, money launder of illicit proceeds and commit violent crimes.
Additionally, the attorneys in this unit provide legal advice and training on a statewide basis on issues involving search and seizure law, wiretap law, prosecuting cases involving children found at drug-related scenes, and courtroom testimony.
Attorneys in DRG will also provide assistance to Arizona County Attorneys on complex, major drug cases.
Election Integrity Unit
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office (the “Office”) is authorized under A.R.S. § 16-1021 to enforce certain civil and criminal violations of Arizona’s election code, codified in Title 16 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. The Office, through the Elections Integrity Unit (“EIU”), accepts electronic complaints submitted online, as well as complaints mailed to the Office. Depending on the nature of the allegations, however, the Office may refer your entire complaint or portions thereof to another state or local agency for investigation and/or enforcement.
Learn more about the EIU.
File an elections complaint.
Financial Remedies
The mission of the Financial Remedies Section is the protection of legitimate commerce from the corrupting influences of criminal conduct through the application of civil remedies under Arizona's racketeering statutes. Its cases concentrate on ongoing criminal enterprises, mostly in the areas of illegal drugs and major fraud, but have also included other forms of organized crime, such as auto theft, prostitution and trafficking in stolen property. Virtually all of its cases allege the conduct of a criminal enterprise (A.R.S. § 13-2312) and money laundering in addition to the underlying criminal conduct. The Section's predecessor was created in January 1981 as the Civil Racketeering Project.
Financial Remedies is comprised of 7 attorneys, 10 investigators, 12 analysts, a property manager, paralegal and support staff. The Section attempts to identify areas of concern and implement proactive solutions, emphasizing long-term results and employing all available remedies, including coordinated regulation, civil prosecution and criminal prosecution. It attempts to identify areas of concern and implement proactive solutions.
Fraud & Special Prosecutions Section
The Fraud & Special Prosecution Section (FSP) investigates and prosecutes white collar and organized fraudulent criminal activity committed by individuals as well as organized criminal groups and organizations. Types of crimes include, but are not limited to: identity theft-related crimes, human smuggling, mortgage fraud, high technology crimes, child exploitation through the use of computers, public corruption, securities fraud, computer fraud, financial exploitation of the elderly, telemarketing fraud, charity fraud, tax fraud, public corruption, insurance fraud, banking fraud, home improvement fraud, real estate fraud, employee embezzlement, gang related crimes and other types of financial crimes involving racketeering offenses.
FSP also works closely with the Financial Remedies Section (FRS) to insure that any ill-gotten moneys are subject to forfeiture. FSP attorneys also prosecute cases referred by other prosecutorial offices throughout the State when those offices have a conflict of interest.
Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Section
The Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Section (HCF), also known as the Arizona Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, investigates and prosecutes health care fraud crimes that impact the State's billion dollar Medicaid program known as AHCCCS. In addition, HCF is charged with investigating allegations of abuse and neglect that take place within health care settings that are at least partially funded by the State's AHCCCS program.
HCF investigates and prosecutes cases involving the falsification of medical records and the filing of false or inflated Medicaid billing claims; thefts and embezzlements from AHCCCS clients and health care institutions; the illegal diversion of prescription drugs by health care providers; and the physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of residents being cared for in AHCCCS-funded facilities.
Please note the HCF does not represent AHCCCS. For any questions, please visit: https://www.azahcccs.gov/
Office of Victim Services
The Office of Victim Services (OVS) promotes and facilitates justice and healing for Arizona's crime victims. OVS provides a myriad of services to victims in cases in which the State is represented by the Attorney General's Office.
OVS provides financial and technical support to state, county and municipal law enforcement, custodial, prosecutorial, correctional agencies and courts. In addition, OVS participates in numerous collaborative efforts to provide leadership and increase awareness of the issues that crime victims face. Finally, OVS's duties encompass enforcement of victims' rights laws and resolution of victims' complaints.
Southern Arizona White Collar and Criminal Enterprise Section
The Southern Arizona White Collar and Criminal Enterprise Section (SAWCCE), headquartered in Tucson, is made up of investigators, prosecutors and highly-skilled staff dedicated to fighting border-related crime.
The SAWCCES team focuses its efforts on crimes committed by the Mexican cartels and U.S.-based transportation cells involved in the smuggling of drugs, weapons, money and humans across Arizona’s southern border.
SAWCCES also specializes in complex financial prosecutions, including mortgage and securities fraud, public corruption, social security and AHCCCS fraud, credit card and identity theft, elder exploitation and criminal enterprises such as street gangs and racketeering.
Additionally, SAWCCES attorneys prosecute cases referred by other prosecutorial offices throughout the State when those offices have a conflict of interest.
Special Investigations
The Special Investigations Section (SIS) provides investigative support to law enforcement and consumer protection services of the Attorney General's Office, as well as to law enforcement agencies across the State of Arizona. SIS provides expertise in specialized areas of law covered under the Attorney General's statutory criminal jurisdiction, which is not usually available at other law enforcement agencies, including vulnerable adult abuse, consumer fraud, drug trafficking, human smuggling, environmental crimes, medical fraud, money laundering, white collar crimes, political corruption, youth tobacco enforcement, antitrust, high technology crimes and foreign prosecution of defendants who have fled to Mexico.