Arizona Democratic Party
Democratic House Hopeful Found Guilty of Falsifying Police Reports
By Staff Reporter |
Nicholas Gonzales, a Democratic House candidate for legislative district 13, has been convicted for filing a false report to law enforcement regarding his son. The incident dates back to 2021 during a planned custody swap, as detailed in court records accessed by the Arizona Republic.
Gonzales had reported his son as missing to the police, claiming that he was not present at the designated meeting point and that he was unaware of his son’s whereabouts. However, investigations revealed text messages indicating that Gonzales had previously arranged for the child’s grandmother to pick him up. He later acknowledged this truth in court.
As a result of the incident, Gonzales received a suspended sentence for false reporting. This case arose amidst a contentious custody battle with his ex-wife, Kurstie Ortiz, which has been ongoing since 2012. Court records detail a history of threats and fears reported by their son regarding interactions with Gonzales during visitation.
In addition to the false report, Gonzales has been found in contempt of court for failing to adhere to a parenting plan and accumulating significant child support arrears. Despite a court order mandating him to pay over $12,000 in legal fees from 2021, Ortiz’s attorney stated that Gonzales has yet to fulfill this obligation, though he has made partial payments on approximately $6,500 in overdue child support.
Despite his legal troubles, the Arizona Democratic Party appears to prioritize gaining a majority in the legislature, with Governor Katie Hobbs recently advocating for Gonzales’s candidacy. Hobbs’s campaign manager stated she was unaware of Gonzales’s custody challenges.
In response to the release of his divorce records, Gonzales issued a statement asserting his dedication to being a responsible father. He claimed he has made efforts to co-parent amicably, despite Ortiz’s denial of this assertion.
Gonzales is one of two Democratic candidates vying for the seat vacated by Jennifer Pawlik, competing against Republican Julie Willoughby and fellow Republican Jeff Weninger.