American Oversight and ACLU of Arizona Sue Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb for Unlawful Delay in Release of Public Records

Wednesday, nonpartisan watchdog group American Oversight filed a complaint in the Arizona Superior Court against Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb and Pinal County, alleging Lamb and the County have failed to respond to multiple public records requests in violation of state law. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Arizona is serving as co-counsel in this complaint.

Lamb has emerged as a key figure in the far-right “constitutional sheriffs” movement and its efforts to cast doubt on U.S. election integrity. The complaint seeks a range of public records that could shed light on Lamb’s election denial and anti-immigration activities.

Statement from American Oversight Interim Executive Director Chioma Chukwu:

“Sheriff Lamb’s connections with those who have falsely claimed widespread voter fraud are part of a concerning trend of law enforcement cozying up with the election denial movement. Similarly, his attendance at anti-immigration and constitutional sheriffs events reflects a disturbing level of extremism. For years, Sheriff Lamb and Pinal County have flagrantly disregarded their obligations under Arizona’s Public Records Law, and the people have a right to know how his office is operating and using county resources.”

Statement from ACLU of Arizona staff attorney Lauren Beall: 

“Sheriff Lamb is not above the law. Like all government officials, he is held accountable to the public under Arizona’s public records law and must promptly provide records when they are requested. Instead, Sheriff Lamb has ignored requests repeatedly. Democracy dies behind closed doors and we will not allow his failure to comply with the law go unchecked.”

The complaint concerns five public records requests. American Oversight submitted the first request in October 2020, with subsequent requests in October 2021, August 2022, January 2023 and June 2023. To date, the sheriff and county have failed to produce any records in response.

Among the records sought are Lamb’s communications with organizations and individuals who falsely claim widespread voter fraud and undermine public confidence in the 2020 election; documents related to his attendance at a June 2022 rally put on by the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a group known for its anti-immigrant initiatives; and records that could shed light on his connections to the constitutional sheriffs movement, which asserts authority to refuse to enforce any law a sheriff deems unjust or unconstitutional. 

The records sought have potential to shed light on Lamb’s involvement with individuals, organizations, and movements that provoke public distrust in elections, promote anti-immigrant policies, and espouse the principles of the constitutional sheriffs movement.