Pearce Calls Bundgaard a "Victim"

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Pearce Calls Bundgaard a "Victim"

Posted By Jim Nintzel on Thu, Mar 3, 2011 at 12:39 PM

Senate President Russell Pearce tells the Arizona Republic that Sen. Scott Bundgaard is a "victim" after Bundgaard got in a fight with his girlfriend and then used "legislative immunity" to avoid arrest while police carted the woman off to jail:

The incident grabbed national headlines, resulting in outrage from local residents who have expressed concern that Bundgaard, the second-highest ranking state senator, would use rules in the Arizona Constitution to avoid being taken into custody. Phoenix police have said Bundgaard told officers he could not be jailed because he was a state senator and the Legislature was in session.

Bundgaard, 43, on Wednesday said that he would not comment until he had read the police report. But Senate President Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, supported him, calling Bundgaard a "victim."

"I know what is going on. I think he is a victim of this whole thing. I feel bad for him. He certainly has paid the price," Pearce said, referring to the negative publicity.

Read the rest here.