Political contributions are one reason John Junker was fired

Fiesta Bowl investigators released a report which led to the Bowl firing CEO John Junker. Among the questionable expenditures are some political spending:

Employees told investigators that the bowl reimbursed 11 staffers for more than $40,000 in political donations under a system first described in a 2009 Arizona Republic report. If true, the reimbursements would be a violation of state and federal campaign finance laws as well as a potential violation of Internal Revenue Service regulations that bar non-profits from making political campaign contributions. The bowl's political activities, according to employees interviewed in the report, were directed toward public officials who could help the bowl maintain its position with favorable legislation and ward off unfriendly laws. Those activities extended to coordinating and hosting fundraisers for candidates, also a potential violation of IRS regulations for nonprofits, giving politicians free tickets and sending them on out-of-town football junkets with lobbyists.

There is also a ton of money for unnecessary services to Blue Steel Consulting, a security contractor owned by Lt. Aaron Brown. Brown has a full-time job in the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office run by the controversial Joe Arpaio. Another Arpaio link: the perk-receiving politicians (who come from both parties) include Russell Pearce, the current Arizona State Senate president who previously served as Arpaio's second-in-command.