Chandler council member: Future of suit over rumors is unclear
Poston: 'I don’t understand waiting to reveal investigation'
Independent Newsmedia file/Jason W. Brooks
Chandler City Council member Jane Poston speaks during a recent meeting. New information in her suit against the city shows there might have been an active FBI investigation about her activities at one time.
A Chandler City Council member — who took the uncommon step last year of suing the government where she’s part of its elected governing body — has seen some recent correspondence filings in the case.
Jane Poston is listed as both one of the lead plaintiffs and is one of several of the defendants as she takes Chandler’s government to court in a defamation case about whether appointed city leaders did enough in dealing with rumors about Poston.
In order to resolve and discourage recurrence of a difficult situation, Poston and her company, J2 Media, filed a lawsuit in September in Maricopa County Superior Court. The defendants include the Council, former Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan, along with the city of Chandler, the Chandler City Council as a group, all seven council members listed individually, City Manager Josh Wright and Assistant Police Chief Dave Ramer.
Poston alleges Duggan, Wright and Ramer allowed the spreading of false information about her — mainly, that she is or was the target of an FBI investigation.
A December motion by the defense to dismiss the case led to a Jan. 10 plaintiff’s response and a Jan. 28 reply to that response.
At issue, in part, is whether Poston actually was under FBI investigation for any reason. Poston and a police union head were the subject of communication between Duggan — during his final months on the job before retirement — and the city manager regarding Duggan’s belief Poston was under investigation by the FBI for “corruption.”
Poston shared with the Chandler Independent a short letter dated Feb. 12 of this year, from FBI Special Agent in Charge Jose A. Perez to current Chandler Police Chief Bryan Chapman, regarding an apparent investigation.
“In August 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Phoenix Field Office, received a formal complaint from Chandler Police Department, which outlined allegations of potential misconduct involving Jane Posten,” the agent wrote. “Based upon these allegations, the FBI opened an investigation and has since determined no further investigative action is necessary and the matter is being closed.”
Poston is asking for $400,000 in damages for herself and $100,000 for damage to her company, J2 Media.
Poston charges city staff didn’t do enough to stop the spread of false information by Duggan, the former chief, and one of his assistants.
Poston told the Chandler Independent, in an email, that the fault lies with everyone who should have informed her that she was the target of a probe, rather than simply it being an email dialogue between the police chief and city manager.
“I was never aware of any investigation, and I was never contacted by anyone at the FBI or any law enforcement organization,” Poston told the Independent. “It’s unclear whether this was a true ‘investigation’ or politically motivated.”
Poston had done business with the Chandler Law Enforcement Association in the years and months leading up to her election to council in 2022.
“I raised my business relationship with CLEA with the city attorney before I took office, and publicly in a City Council meeting,” Poston told the Independent. “In both instances, the City Attorney (Kelly Schwab) advised that there was no conflict of interest. So I don’t understand why the city waited this long to reveal there was an investigation.”
Poston said she and her law firm, Snell & Wilmer, are still evaluating their options going forward.
She told the Chandler Independent in January of 2024 the idea of the FBI investigating her, at that point, was only a rumor.
An email communication from Duggan, who was about to retire, to City Manager Josh Wright is presented. Duggan informs Wright that the FBI “is investigating” both Poston and now-former Chandler Law Enforcement Association president Officer Michael Collins for “corruption.”
In the email, Duggan told Wright, “Information was uncovered indicating Collins and Poston may have committed violations of federal law and as such, an active public corruption criminal investigation is underway.”
Poston said she hadn’t been contacted by the FBI or any other investigative agency.
CLEA added this statement to the news section of its website:
“Chandler Law Enforcement Association Responds to Media Story: In response to the recent media story, the Chandler Law Enforcement Association (CLEA) is unaware of any valid information regarding any claims made by the former city of Chandler employee. Neither the current board nor former president, Michael Collins, have been notified by any agency regarding any investigation. CLEA’s past and current board members have consistently followed all federal and state laws required for our corporation status. CLEA will continue to represent its members with unwavering diligence and will continue to support the Chandler Police officers as they put their lives on the line daily to keep our community safe.”
Poston has recused herself from voting on a handful of council decisions since January 2024, including a vote on a significant raise for Wright and an extension of his contract.
After an extended in-meeting discussion Feb. 22 of last year with Schwab, the city attorney, about work J2 Media had done for CLEA and the timing of terminating that relationship, Poston decided to vote in favor of approving a pair of police union contracts. The motion passed, 7-0.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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