August 11, 2021

Arizona state senator accused of molestation resigning

The Phoenix-area lawmaker faced growing calls to step down.

360 state capitol sen side Arizona State Capitol building.
AZPM Staff

An Arizona state senator facing child molestation charges who had been getting increasing pressure to step down is resigning.

Republican Senate President Karen Fann said Tuesday that Democratic Sen. Tony Navarrete sent her an email saying he is resigning immediately.

The action came amid increasing bipartisan pressure on the Phoenix lawmaker to step down from his seat representing a Phoenix-area district.

Navarrete was arrested last week by Phoenix police after a now-16-year-old boy came forward and said Navarrete had molested him starting when he was 12 or 13 years old and continuing until he was 15.

He faces multiple charges and is free on $50,000 bond.

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