Arizona Corporation Commission facing lawsuit over discrimination and retaliation claims [Video]

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The former chief legal advisor for the Arizona Corporation Commission is now suing the agency, alleging a widespread pattern of discrimination and retaliation.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court Friday, Robin Mitchell claims she was unjustly demoted last year.

She accuses three commissioners, including Chairman Jim O’Connor and two top staff members, of engaging in “a campaign to rid the commission of non-white employees.”

“I wish they would just treat people right. They have mistreated everybody in that agency that I cared about. That were good, solid, and dedicated employees,” said Mitchell.

The lawsuit said the commission has seven divisions, and four people of color held director roles before Executive Director Doug Clark was hired in April 2023. That number is now reportedly down to one.

“I think that they want less ethnically diverse, vanilla type commission. And that is not in the best interest of the agency …