On this day, Jan. 20, in 1987, the Arizona House of Representatives opened impeachment hearings against Gov. Evan Mecham after he was indicted on perjury and fraud charges. Mecham was a year into his term when allegations arose that he had failed to report a $350,000 loan to his campaign fund from a real estate developer, and had taken $80,000 in public funds to help his car dealership. The Arizona Senate in April 1987 convicted Mecham on charges of obstruction of justice charges and misuse of government funds, and he was thrown out of office. But he was acquitted of all charges during a criminal trial that started that June, and his political career continued. In 1988, Mecham served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. Two years later he unsuccessfully tried to retake the governor’s office. In 1992, he ran as an independent for senator against John McCain and garnered 10 percent of the vote.
— Freeman Klopott
