The Arizona Republic
El Mirage Court Judge James Mapp has been suspended for 30 days without pay after it has been used city credit cards to pay for the repairs of car and buy a stray cat vaccines.
Mapp repaid later City spending, but members of the Council of the city said that charges would never have occurred in the first place. They voted 4-3 to suspend him effective Wednesday, one day before four new Board members and new mayor took oath.
According to documents of the city, Mapp is two incorrect charges for his card credit issued by city:
-Accused ?Mapp $669 for auto repair in November. He said the repair shop would not accept personal cheques and he needed his car, he used the map of the city. He repays the city the next day.
-?In August, Mapp accused the city having a stray cat vaccinated. Its staff took the feline and have been kept in the Palace of justice. Finance employees raises questions on the charge of $52 for Petco and repaid Mapp city four months later.
The Council held a meeting to determine how unexpected Monday discipline Mapp. Outgoing Mayor Michele Kern demanded his dismissal, but the Council voted 4-3 to suspend him.
"The majority of the municipal Council felt his lack of intent to defraud or usurpation of the city should mitigate its discipline," said Kern. "The public is able to trust that public funds are used for legitimate public purposes".
Policies of the El Mirage prohibiting employees to use cards for expenses that do not have a public purpose.
MAPP said that the decision of the Council is too hard, taking into account the nature of its expenditure. He said the meeting was a "trial by ambush" and that any disputes could be resolved between him and the City Manager.
"A judge is supposed to be insulated from the whims of the elect", he said. "This is a separation of powers issue."
MAPP said he thinks that it is within its discretion to use funds from the Court to deal with the cat. He said that staff began to take care of the animal after repeatedly, he ran in the courthouse. It has since been taken home by an employee.
"I think that if the Fire Department had adopted a dog of fire, there would no doubt Council", he said. "I suppose that but good deed goes unpunished these days.
Kern, whose mandate has been late Thursday said the charges are the latest in a string of incidence where Mapp showed poor judgment. She said that it previously came into conflict with the Council when it closed the Court the day Christopher Columbus Day holiday non-ville without notification.
"I think that you can teach people many things, but you can't teach common sense," said Kern.
Kern says she voted against the suspension Mapp because his faux pas justified termination. She said that several members agreed with him.
Councillor Roy Delgado voted in the majority of the lesser penalty. Now, he said he questions if it was the right decision.
"With hindsight tells me that it is too hard", he said. "The bottom line is there is a lawyer and a judge, and he should have better."
A new mayor and four new members have loaned oath Thursday. MAPP said it intends to apply for the first year of the City Mayor and members of the Board set aside the decision of their predecessors.
Incoming Mayor Lana Mook refused to comment on the request of the Mapp.
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