By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes on Monday defended her office’s slow-moving, two-year-old criminal investigation into Governor Katie Hobbs, insisting that “no one can blow off the Attorney General’s office.”
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However, she declined to say whether the governor would ever sit down with prosecutors for the formal interview that her office requested three months ago.
The investigation, which centers on allegations of a lucrative pay-to-play scheme, has lingered for more than two years. At the heart of the probe is whether one of Hobbs’ major campaign donors was rewarded with a highly lucrative state contract after making a six-figure contribution.
Despite the high stakes, the investigation appears to be at a standstill regarding a key step: questioning the governor herself.
In April, Mayes’ office formally requested that Hobbs sit for an interview. Three months later, that interview has still not taken place, with both sides offering various explanations for the delay.
During a press conference, Mayes rejected the characterization that Hobbs is dodging the state’s top law enforcement agency.
“The answer is no. You cannot blow off the Attorney General’s office—full stop,” Mayes said. “No one can, regardless of who they are.”
But when pressed on the fact that the governor has effectively avoided the interview for months, Mayes pushed back. “I would disagree with that characterization,” she said.
Mayes declined to discuss specific details of the open investigation, only offering assurances that her office “will get the information that they need” and will make a formal announcement when a result is reached.
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The timeline is growing increasingly critical. The midterm elections are just 92 days away, and the unresolved criminal probe continues to hang over the races. Both Mayes and Hobbs are up for re-election.
Hobbs’ Republican challenger, Rep. Andy Biggs, has seized on the controversy, making the investigation a focal point of his campaign. Biggs has already launched early ads slamming Hobbs for being under criminal investigation.
While Mayes claimed that the probe is “nearly complete,” she refused to commit to wrapping it up before voters head to the polls.
When asked directly if there is a chance the investigation could be finalized without Hobbs ever sitting for questioning, Mayes demurred.
“I’m going to decline to answer that question right now,” Mayes said.
Throughout the process, Governor Hobbs has maintained her innocence, stating from the beginning of the probe that her administration followed all state procurement laws and did nothing wrong.
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