Emails show Arizona AG aide sought prison lawyer candidates from ACLU

Internal emails obtained by Fox News Digital reveal that Chief Deputy Attorney General Daniel Barr repeatedly sought recruiting assistance from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Berkeley-based Prison Law Office (PLO) for legal roles within the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR). Barr, who serves as a top aide to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, asked both organizations for recommendations of attorneys to handle ADCRR work in-house and later for candidates to serve as the department's general counsel.

The correspondence spans February to May 2023, during which Barr expressed a desire to bring more ADCRR litigation in-house. In a February 2023 email, Barr wrote to representatives of the ACLU and PLO that he needed to hire attorneys to represent the department in numerous capacities. By April, he was specifically soliciting applications for the ADCRR general counsel position. When the role remained unfilled, Barr followed up on May 11, 2023, noting that there were "still no takers" for the job. On that same day, David Fathi, director of the ACLU National Prison Project, responded by promising to "redouble" his efforts to find a candidate.

Barr had a prior professional history with both groups before joining Mayes' office. As a partner at Perkins Coie, he spent years litigating alongside the ACLU and PLO in a federal case that resulted in a judicial finding that Arizona's prison conditions were constitutionally inadequate. The ACLU advocates for cutting jail and prison populations by 50% through reforms such as decriminalization and bail reform, while the PLO works to reduce incarceration and litigate on issues including solitary confinement and medical care.

Corene Kendrick, deputy director of the ACLU's National Prison Project, responded to Barr's May email by suggesting a candidate who was already "enjoying suing ADCRR in civil rights damages cases" while running a café. The emails indicate a cordial relationship between Barr and staff from both organizations. Fathi requested a phone conversation with Barr in February 2023, receiving a response within two minutes. Fathi also disclosed that the director of ADCRR reached out to him to schedule a call about working together on departmental issues. Don Specter, a longtime PLO attorney, reported having a "productive meeting" with the head of ADCRR in June 2023.

ADCRR ultimately hired Ashley Oddo as its general counsel. Oddo previously led Arizona State University's Academy for Justice and had supported criminal-justice positions associated with the left, including addressing systemic racism in policing. She has no institutional affiliation with the ACLU or PLO, and her name was not mentioned in the emails exchanged with Barr. Fox News Digital noted that it only obtained email records, leaving it unclear if the organizations provided further assistance beyond these communications.

The recruiting efforts stand in contrast to Mayes' public stance on law and order. Mayes described herself as a "moderate" during her 2022 campaign and has defended Arizona against ACLU lawsuits challenging police filming restrictions and immigration enforcement laws. Her campaign manager, Delaney Corcoran, stated that Mayes has consistently fought for funding for police and cartel task forces. The ACLU has advocated for defunding or divesting from police departments, positions that differ sharply from Mayes' support for law enforcement resources. Barr, Fathi, Oddo, Specter, Kendrick, and the relevant organizations did not respond to requests for comment.