Ruben Ortega, the Phoenix police chief who brought down seven state lawmakers in one of the biggest political corruption stings in state history, has been hired as Salt Lake City's new police chief.
Mayor Deedee Corradini announced the hiring Monday with a smiling Ortega at her side. City officials view the hiring as a major coup because the Arizonan is a nationally recognized police figure who was asked to apply for the Los Angeles police chief job.Ortega received a four-year contract, but the city can buy out his contract after six months if it chooses.
Although he earned $104,936 per year in Phoenix before retiring in 1991, Ortega agreed to a salary of $83,000 per year, Corradini said. That will be added to his yearly pension of about $80,000.
The city, criticized for liberal moving incentives granted a new public works director, will pay only the cost of a moving van and transportation to bring Ortega here. He will start work as soon as he finds a house.
Ortega is a lifelong Phoenix resident who spent 32 years on the police force, 11 as chief. His wife and daughter attended the press conference, and Ortega said the family is excited about moving north.
"We feel fortunate we have the opportunity to come to Salt Lake. My intention is to be here permanently, regardless of how long I remain chief."
He said he decided after retiring that he wanted some day to be chief in a fast-growing, midsize city. Salt Lake City was one of the cities he had in mind, along with Sacramento, Albuquerque and Austin, Texas.
"It's the size of a city where a chief can have an impact," he said.
Ortega retired last year after an argument with the Phoenix city manager, who wanted Ortega to inform him about secret investigations before they were launched.
Ortega refused, and his supporters argued city politicians were nervous about being caught in one of the investigations.
They had good reason. In what became known as Azscam, Ortega organized a sting that led to indictments against 18 people, including seven lawmakers. Some of the lawmakers were caught on videotape accepting bribes to vote in favor of casino gambling.
But Ortega said Monday that Utah politicians have no need to worry.
"Azscam was a unique situation that fell in my lap. It was like a hot coal. I tried to toss it to the feds and the county attorney, and they tossed it back," he said, noting officials were worried about going after politicians. "Finally, I decided a crook is a crook and that I should go after it."
Ortega, a Hispanic, becomes the city's first minority police chief. He said he plans to find innovative ways to make the police more effective without spending more money, and he vowed to fight the city's growing gang problem.
He admits not reacting quickly enough when gangs first appeared in Phoenix.
"The advantage you have here is the gang problem hasn't hit you here as hard as other communities." Ortega wants to stop gang problems by prosecuting gang leaders and working with the community to provide alternatives for youths.
Ortega replaces Ed Johnson, who retired earlier this year after disagreements with Corradini on how to restructure the department.