Higley Unified School District—Plea Agreements—Purchase of Appointment to Office and Preparing a False Return (REV February 2025)

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office requested our assistance with its investigation of Higley Unified School District’s (District) practices related to having 2 new schools built in 2012. The investigation identified that between August 2014 and April 2016, former District superintendent Dr. Angela Birdwell received $62,500 from 2 District vendors, and her acquaintance, Kay Hartwell Hunnicutt, received $43,000 from 1 District vendor without either of them claiming these monies as income on their respective State income tax returns. The investigation concluded that Dr. Birdwell had participated in certain District decisions involving these vendors and failed to disclose a substantial interest in connection with such decisions. In March 2023, Ms. Hartwell Hunnicutt pleaded guilty to 1 misdemeanor count related to preparing a false return, was placed on 30 days probation, and ordered to pay a $2,500 fine. In September 2024, Dr. Birdwell pleaded guilty to 1 misdemeanor count related to purchase of appointment to office and agreed to file amended tax returns and pay any outstanding tax, fines or penalties due to the Arizona Department of Revenue. She was placed on 6 months’ probation and ordered to pay a $2,750 fine.