PHOENIX – Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich released the following statement after U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell upheld the legality of Arizona laws on identity theft. Judge Campbell ruled Arizona’s workplace identity theft laws, which were challenged in Puente v. Arpaio, serve as a legitimate law enforcement tool in combatting identity theft.
“Identity theft costs Arizonans millions of dollars a year,” said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. “Arizona can now move forward with prosecuting job-related identity theft crimes to protect Arizonans.”
“The constitution does not protect someone from stealing another person’s identity. Defending this lawsuit has always been about defending the rule of law,” added Brnovich.
“At the heart of this very complex litigation was the simple argument that it is our responsibility to protect Maricopa County residents from identity theft, pursue justice on their behalf, and hold offenders accountable,” said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. "This decision confirms our arguments that MCAO is serving victims of identity theft through the full and fair enforcement of our laws and rejected the divisive and irresponsible arguments brought by Puente and the ACLU. I am proud of our team’s work to adeptly defend the basic notions of protecting victims of criminal conduct, the role of our office in carrying out our constitutional duties, and my role as the elected chief prosecutor. Our partnership with Attorney General Brnovich’s Office on behalf of the people of Arizona served the entire state well.”
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, and the State of Arizona were defendants in the lawsuit.
Deputy Solicitor General Dominic Draye argued the case before Judge Campbell on October 13, 2016.
View a copy of Judge Campbell’s Ruling.