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Arena deal in jeopardy? Glendale mayor requests investigation into ‘clear violation’ of state law

Jobing.com Arena

“White Out” shirts adorn the inside of Jobing.com Arena before Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals between the Detroit Red Wings and the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 18, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (April 17, 2011 - Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America)

From the Arizona Republic:

Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers on Monday asked the state attorney general to investigate a previously undisclosed meeting of City Council members and an Arizona Coyotes attorney last June, days before the council approved a $225 million agreement with the team.

Weiers, who voted against the deal that kept the hockey team in Glendale, said he believes the meeting violated the Arizona’s Open Meeting Law and revealed key information to the Coyotes about the city’s negotiating position.

Violations of the Open Meeting Law can rescind actions taken by elected officials, which could potentially void Glendale’s deal with the team, which was then called the Phoenix Coyotes.

So, yeah, this old story again. It’s not clear how seriously the Coyotes’ arena deal is threatened by this latest development, but the newspaper says it’s obtained an email between council members Gary Sherwood and Manny Martinez that may support Weiers’ assertion that there’s been a “clear violation” of the law.

Oh, and the fact the email reportedly ended with “Manny, please delete this email after you’ve read it” doesn’t look great either.

Related: Glendale mayor-elect unhappy with Coyotes lease