Judge tosses part of expelled Arizona legislator’s lawsuit

PHOENIX (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed part of a lawsuit filed against current and state officials by a former Arizona legislator who became the first state lawmaker expelled for sexual misconduct after the # MeToo movement swept the nation.

U.S. District Judge Dominic W. Lanza’s ruling Friday dismisses former Rep. Don Shooter’s claim that his due process rights were violated by former House Speaker and current state Sen. J.D. Mesnard and Kirk Adams, former chief of staff to Gov. Doug Ducey .

Shooter’s Jan. 29 lawsuit alleged that his 2018 expulsion for alleged sexual harassment of a fellow legislator and other women was an effort to block him from exposing fraud in the state procurement system.

Lanza ordered that a state court consider Shooter’s other claims alleging defamation, invasion of privacy and wrongful termination.