Summary (tl;dr)

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is trending after the Pima County Board of Supervisors opted not to remove him from office, but instead referred allegations of potential perjury regarding his past employment history to the Arizona Attorney General's Office.

Essential Background

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos was re-elected in November 2024 following a narrow victory and a subsequent recount. His tenure has been marked by ongoing controversy, including accusations of misrepresenting his employment history with the El Paso Police Department from the late 1970s and early 1980s. Records from El Paso reportedly show multiple suspensions and his resignation in lieu of termination, contradicting his sworn testimony where he stated he had never been suspended as a law enforcement officer. Additionally, Nanos faced criticism for allegedly using his position for political gain by suspending his political rival, Heather Lappin, shortly before the 2024 election. The Pima County Deputies' organization also issued a unanimous vote of no confidence in his leadership. Separately, Nanos is overseeing the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, which has also drawn scrutiny.

The Full Story

On May 13, 2026, the Pima County Board of Supervisors met to discuss Sheriff Chris Nanos's future. Despite a motion by Supervisor Steve Christy to remove Nanos from office, the board ultimately voted against his removal. However, the board did approve a motion to refer allegations of potential perjury by Nanos to the Arizona Attorney General's Office for investigation. These allegations stem from discrepancies between Nanos's past sworn testimony in a lawsuit and his disciplinary records from the El Paso Police Department. While Nanos testified he was never suspended as a law enforcement officer, records suggest otherwise, indicating multiple suspensions and a resignation in lieu of termination. Nanos's attorney has asserted that the sheriff's testimony pertained only to his career in Arizona, where he was not suspended, and that his departure from the El Paso Police Department was a resignation, not a termination. The board's actions followed Nanos's submission of a report answering questions about his employment history and department conduct, which some supervisors found insufficient.

Why It Matters

This trend is significant due to the profound implications for accountability and public trust in Pima County's law enforcement. The referral of perjury allegations to the Arizona Attorney General's Office could lead to a formal investigation and potential legal ramifications for Sheriff Nanos, thereby affecting the credibility of the sheriff's department. The continued scrutiny of his past conduct and leadership, combined with a vote of no confidence from his deputies and criticism over high-profile investigations like the Nancy Guthrie case, could further destabilize the department and hinder its operational effectiveness. This situation also highlights ongoing political tensions within the Pima County Board of Supervisors regarding the oversight and performance of the Sheriff's Office.

Geographic Location

• Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, United States (location of Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting)
• El Paso, El Paso County, Texas, United States (location of Sheriff Nanos's previous employment with El Paso Police Department and where disciplinary records originated)