Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos faces a removal effort from two board supervisors—Democrat Matt Heinz and Republican Steve Christy—following allegations that he committed perjury regarding his disciplinary record. The supervisors claim Nanos lied under oath during a deposition when he stated he had never been suspended as a law enforcement officer, despite El Paso Police Department records allegedly showing he received suspensions and other disciplinary actions in the 1970s and 1980s. Nanos is currently leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, and is also defending against multiple lawsuits from current and former department members.

The perjury allegations carry significant implications for the high-profile missing persons investigation and raise questions about the credibility of the official leading the case. A successful removal could disrupt an already complex inquiry into a nationally publicized abduction. The controversy also highlights accountability issues within law enforcement leadership and the broader integrity of Arizona's sheriff's office, particularly as public confidence in the investigation may be affected by questions about Nanos's truthfulness under oath.

The supervisors' authority to remove an elected sheriff is limited by Arizona law, requiring either his voluntary resignation or a criminal conviction following prosecution. Although two board members support removal, they lack the clear power to unilaterally vacate his office without additional legal grounds. The situation reflects longstanding tensions within the Pima County Sheriff's Department, with Nanos navigating both the Guthrie investigation and internal disputes that predate the recent perjury allegations.