ROMLEY HIRES LAWYER TO TAKE ON COMPLAINTS

Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley has hired a lawyer at taxpayers'
expense to handle complaints that he is misusing his office to fight a
medical marijuana ballot initiative.

"The accusations are absolutely bogus," said Barnett Lotstein, special
assistant to Romley. "We felt it was prudent to hire an independent lawyer."

At issue is Romley's involvement in attempts to defeat Proposition 203, the
medical marijuana initiative in the November ballot, and allegations of his
involvement in previous measures. State law prohibits Romley from using
county resources to promote a ballot initiative.

Last month, Romley paid the county $2.89 after he admitted using official
stationery to challenge John Sperling, the chief sponsor of Proposition
203, to a debate.

Backers of Proposition 203 are asking the county to turn over public
documents related to the proposal. They also want public records about two
drug measures approved by voters in 1996 and 1998.

The county is paying Phoenix attorney Melvin McDonald $150 an hour, half
his regular fee, to deal with the request. The reduced amount was possible
because McDonald's law firm has done substantial work for the county, he said.