Unaware of Death Threat--Mecham

PHOENIX —  Gov. Evan Mecham today denied under oath that he knew about an alleged death threat to a former top aide, contradicting the testimony of a former bodyguard who said he told the governor about it.

Mecham told a House select committee considering his impeachment, “I was not aware of a death threat.”

Lee Watkins, at the time head of the state’s prison construction program, has been accused of threatening Donna Carlson, Mecham’s legislative liaison. Both Watkins and Carlson have since left the Mecham Administration.

The governor is accused of trying to thwart the attorney general’s investigation of the alleged threat.

Recall Election May 17

According to his accusers, Mecham ordered Department of Public Safety Director Ralph Milstead not to cooperate with the investigation of the alleged threat.

The governor’s former chief bodyguard, state police Lt. Beau Johnson, testified previously during the impeachment hearings that he fully informed Mecham of the alleged threat two days before the governor spoke with Milstead.

But Mecham testified today: “I never heard of a death threat from Col. Milstead or Lt. Johnson. . . . I’ve told you all the details I know.”

Mecham, in office 13 months and facing a recall election May 17, has been indicted on felony fraud and perjury charges alleging that he concealed a $350,000 campaign loan. He was expected to be questioned about that loan later in the hearing.

‘A Lot of Hot Air’

House members first questioned Mecham about the alleged threat.

“There was no warning of any felony,” Mecham said. “Had there been, I’m sure we would have looked at it much differently.”

Mecham told the committee that because he was not told of the seriousness of the threat, he asked Max Hawkins, head of the state Department of Administration and Watkins’ boss, to look into it.

The governor said a few hours later, Hawkins called him and told him that the matter “was a lot of hot air and it would go away.”

No Charges Filed

“With that, I dismissed it,” Mecham said.

No charges have been filed against Watkins.

Col. Ralph T. Milstead, head of the state Department of Public Safety, earlier told the committee that Mecham had ordered him not to cooperate with the attorney general’s office in its investigation of the matter, which now is before a state grand jury.

Milstead said he disobeyed that order.

On Monday, Mecham gave his opening statement to the House committee, denying any wrongdoing, but said he would answer questions only from House members and not from their attorneys.