APAAC Gerda and Kurt Klein Guardian of Freedom Prosecutor Award Recipients

Adena Bernstein joined the Attorney General’s Office in 2023 where she assumed a pivotal role in addressing the fentanyl crisis, crafting the office’s response to the crisis which has involved understanding the complexities of fentanyl addiction and working collaboratively with doctors, healthcare providers, state governments, law enforcement, and other stakeholders. She has proven to be a dedicated and impactful leader in the fight against the opioid epidemic, specifically the devastating effects of fentanyl. Through tireless efforts, innovative legal strategies, and a deep commitment to justice, Adena has made significant contributions to supporting fentanyl-related initiatives to prevent further loss of life. By collaborating with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as community organizations, Adena has worked to educate the public on the dangers of fentanyl. She has promoted prevention programs to reduce overdose deaths, as well as the implementation of harm-reduction measures—like distributing naloxone (Narcan) to first responders.

The Attorney General’s Office nominates Nichole Galusha for the Guardian of Freedom Award for her work in investigating and prosecuting complex wiretap investigations. Wiretaps are one of the most intrusive investigative techniques, and Nichole is ever diligent in ensuring that the State does not overuse intrusive methods to locate and gather evidence against targets. While overseeing long-run wiretap investigations, Nichole is mindful of the significant power of the State and routinely makes difficult decisions to not charge targets caught with drugs in hand and house. For those individuals charged, Nichole evaluates each person based on their unique circumstances, treating the accused with respect and dignity throughout the pre-trial and trial process. Nichole has demonstrated use of justice-based judgment and strong conscience.

It is difficult to identify any one person who has done more to guard the torch of freedom than Paul Ahler in his 44-year prosecution career. His career accomplishments are remarkable, but his lasting legacy is a steadfast commitment to ethical, fair, and evenhanded justice for victims and defendants alike. He demanded tough punishment when required, knew when leniency was appropriate, always ensured victims were heard, and defendants were treated with dignity. In 2022, Paul returned to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office as Chief Deputy to make sure the nation’s third largest prosecution office lived up to its calling of carrying out justice for all members of the community. Paul’s legacy includes generations of prosecutors whom he has trained to guard the torch of freedom with the same steadfast commitment to ethical, fair, and evenhanded justice.

If the Do the Right Thing Award entails standing alone on a principle deeply held as the last line of defense as the award criteria mentions, then Hayley Weigold checks all the boxes in her day to day job issuing the most complex, difficult, and at times controversial cases for the Special Victims Unit. But it was her handling of a particular case this year that brought her integrity and professionalism squarely into question. A suburban police department in Pima County responded to a 911 call for what sounded like a toddler in distress inside an apartment. Indeed the scene was deeply concerning. The toddler appeared well cared for but alone late at night. On the night of the incident, the young mother was under deep suspicion. Hayley dug deep to understand both the facts of the case and the surrounding circumstances. In going the extra mile, Hayley was able to craft a resolution which held the mother accountable, while also allowing her opportunity to grow and develop professionally and financially, bettering both her and her baby’s lives. Hayley’s is a story of thoughtful analysis, a story of patience, and a story of Doing the Right Thing – which is a Core Value at the People’s Office of the Pima County Attorney’s Office.

In 2018, Casi Harris was assigned a case that concerned an octogenarian who had been swindled out of her life savings. The evidence showed that the victim had written a check for $17,500 to a man named Miller, which was immediately cashed. Miller quickly pled to Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices and Theft, was sentenced to ten years prison, and his case was closed. Nearly three years passed before the co-defendant was convicted and sentenced. Following the sentencing, the co-defendant casually revealed to Ms. Harris that Miller had been a patsy. Ms. Harris reopened Miller’s case and learned he was a homeless man that the co-defendant had found begging on a street corner and paid a small amount of money to cash the victim’s check. Moving swiftly, Ms. Harris obtained compelling evidence that established that Miller’s involvement was significantly less than the ten-year sentence warranted. At Ms. Harris’s request, Miller was resentenced to time served.

Kristin Starr has been with the Maricopa County Attorney since 2007. One of Ms. Starr’s duties is charging felony aggravated DUI cases, which include reviewing complex Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) customer driving records. While reviewing a case, Ms. Starr discovered that the suspect’s notice of suspension was not mailed, even though the MVD certified record indicated it was, thereby invalidating an element of the offense. Ms. Starr’s subsequent investigation of the MVD records indicated that over 58,000 MVD customer letters were never mailed between August 2020 and March 2021. This error with the MVD notification letter system created inaccurate certified MVD records not only for Maricopa County, but the entire State of Arizona prosecution agencies. Because of Ms. Staff’s efforts, affected MVD customers were able to be identified and their records corrected to assure MVD customers were not prosecuted based on inaccurate evidence.

As prosecutors, we have all had “that one case” that is incredibly complex, that tests our limits, that seems to go on forever. But we persevere because we are prosecutors determined to act in our roles as ministers of justice. Mr. Simon has worked untiringly on "that one case" to right a wrong. In this instance, it is a misdemeanor case that includes two DNA tests, voluminous jail call transcripts, massive depositions, and over 160 exhibits just from the State. This case has consumed over 21 full days of trial stretched out over 8 months and involved the NCAA and private civil lawyers. In short, he did “the right thing” by insisting we take the case.

Blaine Gadow proved himself a compassionate prosecutor in a human trafficking (sex) trial in which the victim’s testimony was necessary for the case to proceed. The victim was very anxious and worried about testifying. Instead of using the procedural tools available to prosecutors, he empowered her in a trauma-informed, multidisciplinary manner through support, empathy, and providing options that resulted in her choosing to testify. This effort cut against the idea that prosecutors want to “win at all costs” and confirms his dedication to the dignity and respect of all victims while ensuring they have a voice in the process.

Amelia Cramer’s very nature embodies the spirit of APAAC’s Gerda and Kurt Klein Guardian of Freedom Award. Just as the Kleins dedicated their lives to promoting tolerance, Ms. Cramer demonstrates this spirit in every aspect of her life by personifying the belief that everyone – no matter their race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, or disability – should have the same rights. Amelia’s belief in the intrinsic value of every individual no matter their standing in society drives her to confront discrimination and injustice where it exists. She works diligently to protect and defend the rights of people in this country by speaking out against injustice. She has helped to expose, eliminate, and prevent all forms of discrimination to ensure that everyone is treated equally and fairly.

Sheila Polk is a prosecutor who throughout her career has continuously exemplified the ideals of the Gerda and Kurt Klein Guardian of Freedom Award. Together with the National Holocaust Museum, Ms. Polk worked to develop the What You Do Matters: Lessons from The Holocaust program using teachings from the Holocaust to reinforce these ideals in law enforcement officers and prosecutors. Which in turn brought Gerda Klein, a Holocaust survivor, into the conscious of prosecutors as she declared us the “Guardians of Freedom.” Sheila has worked tirelessly to ensure these concepts stay in the forefront of a prosecutor's decision-making process.

David Flader is recognized for his juvenile prosecution case that received national attention after a family found their PVC menorah had been turned into a swastika. As part of the plea, the defendants had to perform 30 hours of community service, write a letter of apology to the victim, pay restitution, meet face-to-face with a Holocaust survivor, and write a ten-page essay on the lessons learned from the Holocaust and how their actions have impacted the community. Mr. Flader also prosecuted the adult offender to ensure the same terms were imposed due to the favorable response by the victim, community, and Holocaust survivor.