Scott Bundgaard
Encyclopedia
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.
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 which created the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority
to build taxpayer-funded stadiums for National Football League
and major league baseball teams.
While serving in the Senate, Bundgaard worked on matters of fiscal policy by cutting taxes and cutting spending, working to eliminate affirmative action programs, working to end dependence on foreign fuels by promoting renewable energy, working to protect the public from unsafe products and financial scams. He worked toward ending restrictions by public schools against student-led Bible clubs, and putting pressure on HOAs who worked to prevent members from flying the American flag
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.
Arizona. Both Bundgaard and his girlfriend showed marks of a physical altercation. 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. 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. On June 10, 2011 he was served with a summons and complaint 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, a controversial alternative fuels program that cost the Arizona taxpayers over $100 million. As a legislator he tried to take advantage of the program by buying five vehicles at government expense.
He was fined $3,500 by the Federal Elections Commission for improper campaign finance reporting during the 2002 congressional campaign.
Scott Bundgaard has a long history of civil and criminal litigation. In the 1986 he was convicted of burglary. After he had served his sentence his felony
conviction was "expunged." In 2003 he was sued by a client for mishandling funds and subsequently surrendered his securities license.
In 2006 he was married in a covenant marriage
but his wife had to call the police during the honeymoon. She had the union annulled shortly thereafter citing threats and domestic violence
as reasons.
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.
Arizona Republican Party
The Arizona Republican Party is the affiliate of the Republican Party in Arizona. Its headquarters is in Phoenix.- Elected officers of the State Committee:- State Executive Committee :- State Committee :* The 15 county Republican chairmen...
politician who serves in the Arizona Senate
Arizona Senate
The Arizona Senate is part of the Arizona Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. The Senate consists of 30 members representing an equal amount of constituencies across the state, with each district having average populations of 219,859 . Members serve two-year terms with...
. 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.
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 which created the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority
Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority
The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority is a corporate and political body having the rights, powers and immunities of a municipal corporation. It was created on April 24, 2000 by Arizona Senate Bill 1220...
to build taxpayer-funded stadiums for National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and major league baseball teams.
While serving in the Senate, Bundgaard worked on matters of fiscal policy by cutting taxes and cutting spending, working to eliminate affirmative action programs, working to end dependence on foreign fuels by promoting renewable energy, working to protect the public from unsafe products and financial scams. He worked toward ending restrictions by public schools against student-led Bible clubs, and putting pressure on HOAs who worked to prevent members from flying the American flag
Flag of the United States
The national flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars alternating with rows...
In 2002 he ran unsuccessfully for the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
in Arizona's second congressional district. He returned to the state Senate in 2011 after winning election to the open District 4 Senate seat.
Controversies
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 PhoenixPhoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
Arizona. Both Bundgaard and his girlfriend showed marks of a physical altercation. 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. 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. On June 10, 2011 he was served with a summons and complaint for assault (ARS 13-1203A), endangerment
Endangerment
In US law, endangerment comprises several types of crimes involving conduct that is wrongful and reckless or wanton, and likely to produce death or grievous bodily harm to another person....
(ARS 13-1201A), and domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
(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, a controversial alternative fuels program that cost the Arizona taxpayers over $100 million. As a legislator he tried to take advantage of the program by buying five vehicles at government expense.
He was fined $3,500 by the Federal Elections Commission for improper campaign finance reporting during the 2002 congressional campaign.
Scott Bundgaard has a long history of civil and criminal litigation. In the 1986 he was convicted of burglary. After he had served his sentence his felony
Felony
A felony is a serious crime in the common law countries. The term originates from English common law where felonies were originally crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods; other crimes were called misdemeanors...
conviction was "expunged." In 2003 he was sued by a client for mishandling funds and subsequently surrendered his securities license.
In 2006 he was married in a covenant marriage
Covenant marriage
In some parts of the United States, a covenant marriage is a legally distinct kind of marriage, in which the marrying couple agree to obtain pre-marital counseling and accept more limited grounds for divorce...
but his wife had to call the police during the honeymoon. She had the union annulled shortly thereafter citing threats and domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
as reasons.
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.