Questions are being raised about the controversial Arizona sheriff leading the Nancy Guthrie investigation.
The questions about Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stem from concerns about his past, including a recently filed lawsuit from an inmate who has alleged his life was endangered.
Filed in an Arizona court on March 5, the suit by Pima County Jail inmate Michael Marx alleges that his life was endangered by a sheriff deputy who was working two units, including his own, and including one with a COVID quarantine, according to Newsweek.
The problem, according to Marx, was that the deputy would go back and forth between units without properly disinfecting himself. Meanwhile, Nanos allegedly made no effort to ensure the job was done correctly.
Marx alleged in his suit that this bad behavior represented “a threat to my safety because this put my life in jeopardy with their action, constantly.”
“I could have died,” he wrote in the suit.
Critics have doubts:
As much as I may disagree with Sheriff Chris Nanos, the $1 million lawsuit being circulated against him comes from an inmate claiming COVID quarantine and distancing violations.
Spare everyone the clickbait, if you want proper distancing don’t become an inmate.
— (@Nerdy_Addict) March 10, 2026
Marx further accuses both Nanos and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department of violating Article 2 of the Arizona state Constitution, the Declaration of Rights.
And finally, he asks Nanos “to make sure that they properly disinfect their bodies when the deputies are working two units at a time and one of these units is quarantined.”
He’d also like $1,350,000 in damages that he claims he’d like to use to offer apartments “6 months rent free, no strings attached” to homeless people, in addition to an apology from Nanos.
This is far from the only news tied to the sheriff’s name. According to The Arizona Republic, Nanos also “misrepresented” his work history on his publicly available resume.
His resume reportedly claims that he resigned from his prior gig at the El Paso Police Department in 1984.
In reality, he resigned “in lieu of termination” in 1982 due to a lengthy list of disciplinary infractions.
“Nanos was suspended or put on leave without pay for a cumulative 37 days during his time in the El Paso department,” the Republic notes. “Nanos was disciplined for alleged use of excessive force, a shot fired, off-duty gambling, tardiness, failure to report for duty and other violations of rules and regulations.”
“Nanos also received written reprimands for dereliction of duty, making threats and use of the siren on a police vehicle that violated the department’s orders. In total, 26 allegations were listed on Nanos’ internal affairs history card over a five-year period,” according to the paper.
Scoop: Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos’ work history is misrepresented on his public résumé, raising Q’s about his background as he faces the biggest test of his career, the Nancy Guthrie case
His résumé says he worked in El Paso until 1984, but records show he resigned in ’82
— Stephanie Murray (@stephanie_murr) March 10, 2026
When confronted by email over this discrepancy, Nanos accused the paper of writing a hit piece.
“That’s your ‘urgent’ request?” he asked incredulously. “”You sure you don’t want to go back to my high school and ask why I got swats from the principal? Good luck with your hit piece.”
In a statement, his department meanwhile stressed that the errors in his resume have since been fixed.
“These administrative errors have been corrected,” a spokesperson said. “Sheriff Nanos has dedicated more than four decades to law enforcement and public service. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to professionalism, accountability and the safety of the communities he serves.”
“As Sheriff of Pima County, he continues to lead the department with experience, integrity and a clear focus on protecting the residents of Pima County,” they added.
Nanos is also facing scrutiny over his handling of the Guthrie case. Back in February, for example, Heather Lappin, who unsuccessfully tried pursuing Nanos’ seat in the 2024 election, called him a “tyrant” who runs the county like “a mafioso.”
She alleged to The Hollywood Reporter that after the election, he basically punished her by transferring her to a corrections role at the Pima County Adult Detention Center despite she having no corrections experience.
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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