PD: AZ state senator involved in domestic violence situation

Aubry Ballard was booked into the Maricopa County Jail and charged with one count of assault.

Posted: 02/26/2011
Last Updated: 9 hours and 6 minutes ago

By: Erisa Nakano

PHOENIX - Police say an Arizona state senator was immune from arrest when he and his girlfriend were involved in a domestic violence situation Friday night in Phoenix.

Officers responded to a call of a man pulling a woman out of a vehicle, which was stopped next to the median on State Route 51 just south of Cactus Road around 11 p.m., said Sgt. Tommy Thompson with the Phoenix Police Department.

State Sen. Scott Allen Bundgaard, 43, was with his girlfriend 34-year-old Aubry Michelle Ballard in the car, both with marks on them indicating they were involved in a physical altercation, Thompson said.

Bundgaard and Ballard were taken into custody, Thompson said, but Bundgaard told the officers that he is an Arizona state senator and is therefore immune to arrest while the legislature is in session.

Bundgaard said in a statement late Saturday, "There was no ‘domestic violence.’ Such conduct is offensive to me as it should be to all people."

READ BUNDGAARD'S FULL STATEMENT ON THE NEXT PAGE

According to Thompson, Bundgaard is indeed immune from arrest because the legislature is currently in session.

According to the Arizona State Constitution , "members of the legislature shall be privileged from arrest in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, and they shall not be subject to any civil process during the session of the legislature, nor for fifteen days next before the commencement of each session."

But the case will be submitted to the prosecutor’s office for review, Thompson said.

Ballard was booked into the Maricopa County Jail and has been charged with one count of assault.

Charges against Bundgaard are pending.

Bundgaard is the Arizona State Senate Majority Leader and represents Legislative District 4. He has been a state lawmaker since 1995.

“Shame on an azcentral.com reporter for posting a story without even phoning me first. Here’s what might have been learned if that reporter had the decency and professionalism to do so. Last night, I was a participant in the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona ‘Dancing With The Stars’ charitable event to raise money for this fine organization. Other participants included Governor Brewer’s Chief of Staff Eileen Klein, Gallagher and Kennedy Partner Mike Gallagher, Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce and his wife, and numerous other business, political and community leaders.

I am proud to have helped raise thousands of dollars for this charity, so much so that my girlfriend, parents and other family members were in attendance. While I may not have won the competition it was a wonderful tonight for a wonderful cause. Perhaps my fault was failing to ask my girlfriend to meet with Kurt Warner’s wife about how to understand and support a spouse or partner for a ‘Dancing With The Stars’ competition.

Upon leaving the event I was accused of inappropriately touching my dancing partner, in front of my parents and family mind you, and she proceeded to throw my clothes and other things out of my car on a freeway as I took her home. I stopped on the freeway to retrieve these items. As I was doing so my girlfriend yelled that she was going to take my car and moved into the driver’s seat. I immediately returned to the car and asked her to get out. She refused. I had no choice but to pull her from the driver’s seat which resulted in marks on her knees. I had also had no choice but to stop her from punching me and risking highway safety, all of which resulted in a black eye for me and a busted lip (photos available upon request). The authorities arrived as I tried to retrieve my belongings from the highway. I have never inappropriately touched a woman and never would. Period. I was not intoxicated. There was no ‘domestic violence.’ Such conduct is offensive to me as it should be to all people. I waive any and all ‘legislative immunity.’ If I did something wrong, charge me. I did not.

While a personal matter, I understand the public interest and apologize to any and all for what has taken place. I will not hide behind statements. This was done so to set the record straight. I am available for any and all interviews and for any and all questions.â€