The state review found no evidence the employees were unauthorized to be in the facility or were doing anything outside their job responsibilities. The investigation followed a social media post published Oct. 9 that showed the workers in the center at about 10:30 p.m. and accused them of wrongdoing.

The post, which used the word “busted,” was shared by We the People USA Alliance, a group closely linked to Shelby Bush, who gained national attention in 2020 for claims that the election was rigged.

Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap’s staff contacted the FBI about the video. The bureau referred the matter to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office for review. The state investigators concluded they developed no information indicating the workers had acted improperly.

The episode has renewed tensions among county officials as they work to reassure voters about election security and address the impact of viral claims on staff. County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Kate Brophy McGee criticized Heap for escalating the matter to federal authorities rather than first contacting county leadership.

“He just needed to pick up the phone and call. He chose not to and he escalated it and that was his call,” Brophy McGee said.

She said the attention could put election workers at risk. “I have said to Mr. Heap from one of our earliest conversations, ‘leave our employees out of it, we’ll deal with the politics,’” she said.

Heap defended his office’s actions, saying the video showed people in a secured facility after hours. He said his office is not an investigative agency and referred the issue to the county attorney’s office and the FBI.

Asked about Bush’s credibility, Heap said he had no connection to her or her organization and argued that the video itself merited attention. He also said he still had unanswered questions.

The state findings, however, say investigators found no indication the two employees were unauthorized or working outside their official responsibilities.