Chandler Man Indicted on Bribery, Harassment Charges

(Phoenix, Ariz. – May 2, 2007) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced the indictment of Edward Anthony Purvis, 38, of Chandler, on one count of bribery and four counts of harassment of public employees. A second defendant was indicted on similar charges, but the name is being withheld until the defendant is served.

According to the indictment, Purvis and the second defendant offered former Chandler Police Officer Bradley Todd Forward undisclosed benefits in return for providing confidential files and criminal history information related to an Arizona Corporation Commission investigation into possible law violations in an alleged sale of securities.

Forward was indicted in December 2006 on felony charges of hindering prosecution, computer tampering, stealing or destroying public records and using his position to access criminal history records. Forward resigned his position later that month.

The indictment also alleges that Purvis and the second defendant filed liens against individuals involved in aspects of the Arizona Corporation Commission investigation and court proceedings related to the investigation. Those individuals include Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Paul J. McMurdie; Maricopa County Superior Court Clerk Michael K. Jeanes; Rachel Frazier Strachan, an attorney employed by the Arizona Corporation Commission; and Mark Dinell, Assistant Director of Securities at the Arizona Corporation Commission. The liens allegedly stated that each of the four public employees owed Purvis $15 million based on a series of mailings from Purvis called “International Commercial Claims.” The indictment alleges that the mailings and liens were intended to harass the named public employees.

The indictments are the result of a joint investigation by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the Arizona Corporation Commission. If convicted of all charges, Purvis and the second defendant each face up to 20 years in prison. Assistant Attorney General Kelly O’Connor is prosecuting this case.

A copy of the indictment is attached.

Indictment4.29 MB