Guthrie Sheriff’s Former Political Rival Rips Chris Nanos’ Handling of Investigation (Exclusive)

Hollywood Reporter

by Anthony Maglio

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Lt. Heather Lappin, a former political rival of Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, has criticized his handling of the ongoing investigation into the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie in an interview with *The Hollywood Reporter*. Lappin, who narrowly lost to Nanos in the 2024 election for sheriff by just 481 votes out of over 487,000 cast, accuses him of mismanaging the case and creating a toxic work environment within the corrections department. She describes Nanos as a “tyrant” who operates with an air of charm and authority, but ultimately fails to inspire respect or accountability. Lappin’s grievances extend beyond the current investigation. She claims that after her defeat in 2024, she requested a transfer to another county department due to growing tensions with Nanos. Her request was denied, leading her to leave her position and move to Phoenix, where she struggled to find new employment in an unfamiliar field. During her tenure under Nanos, Lappin asserts that the corrections facility became increasingly unsafe, citing high inmate death rates and staff shortages caused by Nanos’s strict COVID-19 policies, which only fired unvaccinated corrections officers. Lappin also alleges that she faced unprecedented scrutiny from internal affairs investigations shortly after losing the election. She claims these probes were politically motivated attempts to discredit her as a rising political opponent. Additionally, she accuses Nanos of attempting to intimidate her at campaign events by sending his female captains to monitor her activities. These actions, combined with what she describes as a lack of transparency and justice under Nanos’s leadership, have left her deeply critical of his handling of both the corrections department and the Guthrie case. Nanos has denied these allegations, stating that his focus remains on “justice and transparency” in the investigation. He has also emphasized the importance of avoiding distractions during an active case, though he has faced criticism from conservative outlets for his handling of the situation. As the investigation continues, Lappin’s accusations raise questions about Nanos’s leadership style and whether it has hindered progress in solving high-profile cases like the Guthrie kidnapping. The clash between Lappin and Nanos highlights broader tensions within Pima County law enforcement and underscores the ongoing challenges of managing both political and

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Originally published on Hollywood Reporter on 2/24/2026