The sheriff leading the search for Nancy Guthrie has been called on by local officials to answer questions about his past as he faces growing scrutiny over his handling of the case.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has come under fire for allegedly mishandling the probe into NBC Today Show host Savannah Guthrie‘s missing 84-year-old mother.
Nancy was abducted from her $1 million Tucson, Arizona, home in the early hours of February 1, and there have been no arrests or suspects named in the two months since.
In the wake of the bungled investigation, Nanos has been accused of workplace retaliation and of lying about his employment history
The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted on March 24 to require Nanos to submit a sworn statement addressing those concerns, according to public records.
It is part of an effort that could see Nanos removed from office, the Arizona Daily Star reported.
Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz requested a discussion of Nanos’ history at the meeting, citing a report by The Arizona Republic that found he misstated his previous work experience.
Nanos’ resume stated that he worked in the El Paso Police Department until 1984, but records obtained by the newspaper found he left the department in 1982 after a series of suspensions.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has been called on by local officials to answer questions about his past as he faces growing scrutiny over his handling of the Nancy Guthrie case
Savannah Guthrie’s mom was abducted from her $1 million Tucson, Arizona, home in the early hours of February 1, and there have been no arrests or suspects named in the months since
The outlet also found that in a December 2025 deposition, Nanos testified he had never been suspended at work, despite the incidents revealed in the newly uncovered records.
‘I was disturbed by, saddened by, the sheriff apparently, when moving from El Paso, Texas, to Pima County, was not completely straightforward with the process,’ Heinz said.
‘You can’t lie on your job applications, you can’t lie under oath. This is about accountability and preventing further erosion of public trust in the county government and in county law enforcement.’
Nanos allegedly lied about why he left the El Paso Police Department when he applied to work in Pima County, according to the Pima County Deputy’s Organization, the sheriff’s department labor union.
‘A FOIA of his personnel file shows he did not disclose that he resigned in lieu of termination, listing “personal reasons and better paying job” instead,’ the union wrote on Facebook.
‘Lying on your application would prohibit anyone from being hired.’
Nanos has also been accused of retaliating against a political rival who was also running for sheriff at the same time as him by putting her ‘on paid administrative leave for political gain.’
The Arizona law used to compel Nanos to address the allegations states that if he does not comply, be could be ‘removed from office by the board and the office declared vacant. The board may then fill the vacancy.’
In the wake of the bungled investigation, Nanos has been accused of lying about his employment history and workplace retaliation
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office told KOLD that Nanos intends to comply with the request.
‘In response to the Board’s decision today, Sheriff Nanos will comply with A.R.S. § 11-253 to provide a report to the Pima County Board of Supervisors,’ the department spokesperson said.
‘He has always been transparent and will provide a report once more direction is provided by the Pima County Administrator.
‘Because this is a legal matter, the sheriff is unable to comment any further on this matter.’
The Daily Mail contacted the Pima County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
