| Scott Bundgaard | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Arizona Senate from the 4th district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2011 |
|
| Succeeded by | Jack W. Harper |
| Member of the Arizona Senate from the 19th district |
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| In office January 13, 1997 – January 13, 2003 |
|
| Preceded by | Jan Brewer |
| Succeeded by | Marilyn Jarrett |
| Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 19th district |
|
| In office January 9, 1995 – January 13, 1997 |
|
| Preceded by | Nancy Wessel John Keegan |
| Succeeded by | Roberta Voss |
| Majority Leader of the Arizona State Senate | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Chuck Gray |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 11, 1968 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Arizona State University |
Scott Bundgaard is a Republican politician who serves in the Arizona Senate. He served as the majority leader of the Arizona State Senate from January 10, 2011 until his ouster on March 15, 2011 by a vote of the Senate Republican caucus due to a personal scandal.[1]
Bundgaard had previously served in the Arizona State Senate for six years (1997–2003). In 2000 Bundgaard was a prime sponsor of Senate Bill 1220[2] which created the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority to build taxpayer-funded stadiums for National Football League and major league baseball teams.[3]
While serving in the Senate, Bundgaard worked on matters of fiscal policy by cutting taxes and cutting spending, working to eliminate affirmative action programs,[4] working to end dependence on foreign fuels by promoting renewable energy,[5] working to protect the public from unsafe products and financial scams.[6] He worked toward ending restrictions by public schools against student-led Bible clubs,[7] and putting pressure on HOAs who worked to prevent members from flying the American flag[8]
In 2002 he ran unsuccessfully for the United States Congress in Arizona's second congressional district. He returned to the state Senate in 2011 after winning election to the open District 4 Senate seat.
On the evening of February 25, 2011 police responded to a call regarding a man (Scott Bundgaard) pulling a woman out of a car in Phoenix Arizona.[9] Both Bundgaard and his girlfriend showed marks of a physical altercation.[10] Both were taken into custody but only his girlfriend was arrested because Bundgaard stated he had legislative immunity from arrest while legislature is in session.[11][12] Members of the legislature are not allowed to be arrested except for treason, felony, and breaches of the peace, and they shall not be subject to any civil process during the session of the legislature, nor for fifteen days next before the commencement of each session.[13] On June 10, 2011 he was served with a summons[14] and complaint[15] for assault (ARS 13-1203A), endangerment (ARS 13-1201A), and domestic violence (ARS 13-3601A).
At Senator Bundgaard's Initial Appearance in Phoenix City Court, the prosecution asked his attorney if they would agree to meet and discuss a possible plea bargain. On August 16, 2011, after lengthy negotiations between both the Senator's attorneys and prosecutors, the Phoenix City Attorney agreed to dismiss both charges. For his part, Senator Bundgaard agreed to participate in domestic violence classes which will run into the beginning of the next legislative session.
He was the prime sponsor of SB 1412 in 2000,[16] a controversial alternative fuels program that cost the Arizona taxpayers over $100 million.[17] As a legislator he tried to take advantage of the program by buying five vehicles at government expense.[18]
He was fined $3,500 by the Federal Elections Commission for improper campaign finance reporting during the 2002 congressional campaign.[19]
Scott Bundgaard has a long history of civil[20] and criminal[21] litigation. In the 1986 he was convicted of burglary. After he had served his sentence his felony conviction was "expunged."[22] In 2003 he was sued by a client for mishandling funds and subsequently surrendered his securities license.[23]
In 2006 he was married in a covenant marriage but his wife had to call the police during the honeymoon.[24] She had the union annulled shortly thereafter[25] citing threats and domestic violence as reasons.[26]
In September 2011 Mr. Bundgaard filed ethics complaints against members of the Senate Ethics Committee who had voted to investigate him for ethics violations. Interim committee members were appointed and the charges against the original committee members were investigated and dismissed. Shortly thereafter Mr. Bundgaard's attorney's withdrew from his case having not received payment for any billings since Mr. Bundgaard first engaged them. His legal bill for his criminal case is believed to be nearly one hundred thousand dollars.[27]
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