Scandal rocks County Recorder’s office
April 29, 2009
Gold Canyon Today.com
Florence.- Theft, Drugs and Ex-Cons in Recorder’s Office. Pinal County Recorder
Laura Dean-Lytle has some tough questions to answer regarding former employee and
convicted felon, Albert Robbs, whom she has known as her daughter’s on-again-off-again
boyfriend for approximately 10 years and who, along with her daughter, was arrested
on charges of theft and trafficking in stolen property in July 1999.
Robbs was sentenced to 3-1/2 years and Lytle’s daughter, Michelle Daymon, received
probation in the 1999 incident involving theft from a Pinal County storage facility.
Robbs was released from custody in June 2002 after which he applied for, and obtained,
a part-time position with the Pinal County Recorder’s Office in the micrograph department
in 2003, after Lytle reportedly advised him of the opening.
Laura Dean-Lytle
Photo & source by:
Gold Canyon Today staff
Despite a dubious employment record, Robbs was promoted in 2007 to a more
responsible position in the recorder’s office; one that allowed him access to voter
records, mail and checks paid to the county recorder. He reportedly used this access
to information to engage in identity theft and which he also allegedly sold in exchange
for drugs for both him and Damon. Robbs was arrested, at his office in Florence,
in December 2008 charged with Theft, Identity Theft and Tampering with a Public
Document.
Robbs activities came to light following a criminal investigation into the misuse
of personal checking account routing numbers and voter registration information
being accessed and stolen during transactions with the Pinal County Recorder’s Office.
During the course of the investigation it was determined that another recently terminated
employee also had county documents and checks in her residence. However; it was
later determined that the second individual was most likely hiding the documents
for performance reasons and that the incident was not related to Robbs’ alleged
criminal activities.
Albert Robb
Photo & source by:
Gold Canyon Today staff
An administrative fact-finding investigation was begun under the authority
of then Pinal County Sheriff Chris Vasquez and continued under current Sheriff Paul
Babeu, which was completed by Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Captain Jeffrey
Karns on January 5, 2009. The investigation “raised a number of questions and issues”
regarding culpability on Lytle’s behalf in the hiring, promotion and retention of
Robbs.
In his report Karns wrote, “There was the appearance that Mrs. Dean-Lytle had hired
Mr. Robbs with the full knowledge that he was a convicted felon for theft related
crimes, and that her daughter, Michelle Daymon and Mr. Robbs were involved in illicit
drug use/activity.”
Following an interview with Lytle, Karns further found, “Mrs. Dean-Lytle stated
that she knew her daughter was using and potentially addicted to methamphetamine
and that she felt Mr. Robbs was using at least marijuana. She indicated that she
knew, or suspected this, prior to and during his employment.”
Lytle reportedly indicated that when she was made aware of the possible misuse of
information by Robbs, she implemented a “checks and balances” program to account
for payments and information received by her office.
When told that the case would be sent to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office for
prosecution, Karns reported that Lytle stated that she wished it would be kept “low
key” and “quiet” and that she was glad she was retiring since this “would bury her”
politically. Lytle was recently re-elected to her position as Pinal County Recorder
in November 2008 without any mention of retirement.
Karns would not comment on the investigation, saying only that his investigation
was an “administrative inquiry and not a criminal investigation”. Details of the
inquiry have led to questions of nepotism in the recorder’s office. That Lytle’s
son-in-law is also an employee of the recorder’s office only adds to the speculation.
Sheriff Paul Babeu, who has reportedly called for Lytle’s resignation, was not available
for comment but PCSO Public Information Officer Tamatha Villar wanted to end speculation
that the investigation was politically motivated.
“This was part of a routine investigation and not political at all,” said Villar,
who pointed out that since the arrest and conviction of former county manager Stan
Griffis, the county takes any inkling of impropriety seriously. “The unfortunate
thing is that she (Lytle) knew his (Robbs’) history.”
Lytle was appointed to the position of Pinal County Recorder in January 1999 following
the retirement of former Recorder Kathleen Felix. She was subsequently elected to
the position in 2000.
Lytle, on the advice of counsel, would not comment on the situation except to say,
“The facts are misstated. They are not as stated (in a recent local publication).”
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