Questions raised over campaign contribution from data center executive to Phoenix councilmember
Phoenix City Councilman Kevin Robinson is facing a possible ethics complaint over more than $18,000 in campaign contributions from people connected to the Menlo Digital data center in Ahwatukee. The project has drawn protests from nearby homeowners, and attorney Anthony Ramirez filed the complaint alleging a potential conflict of interest, though he said it does not allege wrongdoing.
Phoenix City Councilman Kevin Robinson, who represents Ahwatukee and District 6, is facing a possible ethics complaint related to campaign contributions tied to the Menlo Digital data center. The contributions, made in March, totaled more than $18,000 and came from a senior Menlo Digital executive, an attorney associated with a law firm representing the company, and the attorney's wife.
Attorney Anthony Ramirez, a member of the opposition group Ahwatukee Community Alliance, filed the complaint after questioning Robinson about the donations at a community meeting. Robinson said he did not solicit the $5,000 contribution from the Menlo executive and later donated that amount to the alliance. He also said the data center had already been approved and construction had begun in 2024 when the contributions were made. The project is nearing completion but remains opposed by nearby residents, who have organized protests.