Pima County Sheriff Confronts Mounting Pressure Over Past Deceptions and Investigation Failures
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is embroiled in a deepening crisis as local officials demand he address serious allegations regarding his past employment history and his handling of the high-profile Nancy Guthrie abduction case. The sheriff, who leads the search for the missing 84-year-old mother of NBC Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, faces growing scrutiny that could culminate in his removal from office.
Bungled Investigation and Allegations of Misconduct
Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her $1 million Tucson, Arizona, home in the early hours of February 1, and in the two months since, there have been no arrests or suspects named. This lack of progress has sparked criticism of Sheriff Nanos's probe, with accusations of mishandling the investigation. In the wake of these failures, Nanos has been accused of workplace retaliation and of lying about his employment history, further eroding public trust.
On March 24, the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to require Nanos to submit a sworn statement addressing these concerns, as part of an effort that could see him removed from his position. Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz requested a discussion of Nanos's history at the meeting, citing a report by The Arizona Republic that found he misstated his previous work experience.
Uncovering Past Deceptions
According to the investigation, Nanos's resume stated that he worked in the El Paso Police Department until 1984, but records obtained by the newspaper revealed he left the department in 1982 after a series of suspensions. In a December 2025 deposition, Nanos testified he had never been suspended at work, despite the incidents uncovered in these newly revealed records.
Supervisor Heinz expressed his concerns, stating, 'I was disturbed by, saddened by, the sheriff apparently, when moving from El Paso, Texas, to Pima County, was not completely straightforward with the process. You can't lie on your job applications, you can't lie under oath. This is about accountability and preventing further erosion of public trust in the county government and in county law enforcement.'
Union Allegations and Political Retaliation Claims
The Pima County Deputy's Organization, the sheriff's department labor union, has alleged that Nanos lied about why he left the El Paso Police Department when he applied to work in Pima County. In a Facebook post, the union wrote, 'A FOIA of his personnel file shows he did not disclose that he resigned in lieu of termination, listing "personal reasons and better paying job" instead. Lying on your application would prohibit anyone from being hired.'
Additionally, Nanos has been accused of retaliating against a political rival who was also running for sheriff at the same time as him by putting her 'on paid administrative leave for political gain.' These allegations compound the scrutiny he faces under Arizona law, which states that if he does not comply with the board's request, he could be 'removed from office by the board and the office declared vacant. The board may then fill the vacancy.'
Sheriff's Response and Legal Implications
In response to the board's decision, the Pima County Sheriff's Office told KOLD that Nanos intends to comply with the request. A department spokesperson said, 'In response to the Board's decision today, Sheriff Nanos will comply with A.R.S. § 11-253 to provide a report to the Pima County Board of Supervisors. He has always been transparent and will provide a report once more direction is provided by the Pima County Administrator. Because this is a legal matter, the sheriff is unable to comment any further on this matter.'
The Daily Mail has contacted the Pima County Sheriff's Office for further comment, but as the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on whether Sheriff Nanos can address these allegations and restore confidence in his leadership amid the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie.
