PHOENIX - The FBI probe into campaign finance activities of Attorney General Tom Horne is landing him in hot water of a different degree over an alleged hit-and-run accident.
"I'm told that I bumped into another car pulling out of a parking spot, another parked car," Horne said.
"Apparently at the time, I didn't think it was damaged," Horne continued. "I was told later it was damaged. I was happy to pay if there was any damage."
Horne said after being informed about the incident by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, he sent a letter.
"As soon as I hear whose bumper I damaged, I'm happy to pay for it," Horne said.
But reports from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office show there may have been more involved, suggesting Horne may have purposely left the scene. And they know about the incident because the FBI was already watching Horne and his office back in March.
That report shows Carmen Chenal, a disbarred attorney hired by Horne at the Attorney General's office, left the office, got into a vehicle and drove to a parking garage. Horne left the building separately, got into his gold Jaguar and drove to the same parking garage.
"Horne and Chenal then exited the parking garage with Horne now driving the vehicle that Chenal was originally driving and Carmen in the passenger seat," according to a report filed by Detective Mark Stribling.
"Horne was now wearing a baseball hat and he drove to Carmen's residence where Horne backed into a white Range Rover," the report continued. "Horne and Chenal then drove away, parked in a parking garage and both walked into residential area where Chenal lived."
Horne said he did not remember why he and Chenal drove to the area.
"It was last March, so who remembers?" he said, adding that the site is a parking area for Pita Jungle and other restaurants.
The incident became public with Monday's release of the investigative report into Horne's 2010 election campaign.
Phoenix police report they just got the investigation Monday and are still looking into it. It is a violation of the law to leave the scene of an accident without reporting it to authorities or at least leaving your name for the owner of the other vehicle.
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