Former Legislator Leezah Sun Receives Probation for Violating Restraining Order
In a recent turn of events, Leezah Sun, who previously served as a Democratic representative, was handed a 24-month probation sentence. This outcome comes after she was found guilty of breaching a restraining order, which barred her from contacting three employees of Tolleson. These employees had accused Sun of harassment.
The restraining order was initially granted in 2023. It was a response to allegations that Sun had harassed the employees during a meeting and had made threatening remarks concerning a local city lobbyist. Earlier this October, a Phoenix judge confirmed that Sun had indeed violated this order.
According to defense attorney Gabriel Hassen, Sun’s violation occurred inadvertently during a break at a July 2024 hearing when she entered a nearby coffee shop. Sun asserted that she failed to recognize the employees due to “their extreme change in appearance,” adding, “something anyone could have mistaken under the same circumstances, and I am deeply and sincerely sorry.”
Sun appealed for leniency, attributing her situation to harassment and bullying by her adversaries. Hassen also noted that the ongoing restrictions might adversely impact her role as a board member of the Tolleson Unified High School District.
Under the terms set by the Phoenix court, Sun is prohibited from contacting the plaintiffs for two years as part of her probation.
This sentencing marks yet another chapter in Sun’s challenging political journey, which began with her election to the state Legislature in 2022. During her tenure, Sun faced several accusations, including claims of authority misuse in dealings with local officials and an incident where she allegedly interfered with a court-mandated child custody transfer for a friend.
Her resignation from the Arizona House of Representatives in January 2024 came just before a planned vote for her expulsion. This decision followed findings by an ethics committee that she had engaged in disorderly conduct, breaching House rules. Sun stepped down amid these developments.
