Apache County supervisors unanimously remove county attorney Michael Whiting

The Apache County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Jan. 17 in St. Johns to remove Michael Whiting from the office of Apache County Attorney, vacating the position effective the following day. The three-member board — Dr. Joe Shirley Jr., Alton Joe Shepherd and Nelson Davis — carried the action as a formal removal of an indicted county attorney after a period of legal and ethical controversy.

The vote follows a long-running series of legal and disciplinary developments involving Whiting, which included prior indictments and suspension actions. The board’s step formally clears the office and initiates the process by which the county will ensure legal representation for its departments and for prosecution matters under county jurisdiction.

Under county policy and applicable statutes, the board now has the authority to appoint or otherwise fill the vacancy. That could include naming an interim county attorney or pursuing other procedures defined by law and county rules. County leaders said the action was taken at a public meeting in St. Johns and will take effect immediately to provide clarity for county operations.

For residents, the most immediate consequence is uncertainty around continuity of legal services. County offices rely on the county attorney’s office for civil counsel, prosecution of county-level offenses and coordination with state and tribal authorities. Vacancies in that role commonly prompt administrative shifts while interim counsel or outside firms absorb casework and advise elected officials and departments.

Apache County’s governance sits amid complex intergovernmental relationships, including with tribal nations within county boundaries. Continuity in legal counsel has implications for agreements, land and resource matters, and coordination on public safety and social services. The board’s decision signals a transition period for those relationships while the county moves to restore a full complement of legal staff.

The board did not announce a timetable for filling the post beyond the authority to act under statute and policy. County residents and local officials should expect further public notices from the Board of Supervisors regarding any interim appointment, solicitation for candidates, or next steps in the selection process.

This change closes a chapter in a contentious chapter for the county attorney’s office and opens a practical one for county governance. What comes next is administrative: ensuring cases proceed without undue delay, maintaining legal advice for county departments, and following the statutory process to fill the vacancy so Apache County can return to steady operation.