Tom Murphy Busted in Arizona

Authorities in Lake Havasu declined to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding Murphy’s arrest, but under Title 13 (Criminal Code), Chapter 24 § 13-2406, impersonating a public servant is a class 1 misdemeanor, which imposes a sentence of imprisonment for six months and a maximum fine of $2500.

Lake Havasu Police are still currently investigating the matter, but say they are not investigating him for anything else. It was not clear at press time whether Murphy had been detained or was released on his own recognizance.

At the same time, the State Bar of Arizona is currently investigating Murphy for impersonating a licensed attorney, according to Rick DeBruhl, the State Bar's Director of Communications. DeBruhl stated that the State Bar would file a cease and desist order or a civil action against Murphy if he fails to comply with State Bar guidelines.

In a recent e-mail sent by Murphy to a Los Osos resident, he listed under his full name, Dee Thomas Murphy, some of his recently assumed professions, with Internet links to supporting legal codes:

Private Attorney General, 18 U.S.C. 1964(a), 33 U.S.C. 1365
Criminal Investigator and Federal Witness, 18 U.S.C. 1510, 1512-13

National Standards Enforcement Agency
Southwest Division  
1802 Combat Drive
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
775-848-8800

He closes his e-mail with this quote:  

“The Private Attorney General is a due prevision for the rights of innocent persons provided by the district court of the United States” ---National Standards Enforcement Agency

The National Standards Enforcement Agency is believed to be yet another Murphy fiction. The address on Combat Drive is his home mailbox. The phone number is Murphy’s cell phone.

On March 25 Murphy sent an intimidating e-mail to Lake Havasu's Assistant Attorney, Kelly Garry, claiming that he was a “Private Attorney General” and a federal witness. Stating that he is a State of Arizona Licensed Attorney, Murphy accused Mrs. Garry of committing a felony by violating the attorney’s oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Almost immediately after Murphy sent the e-mail, the State Bar of Arizona was notified. Sources close to the investigation confirm that Murphy is not a licensed attorney in the state of Arizona.

Last year, Murphy returned to Lake Havasu from Los Osos and Morro Bay on California’s Central Coast after failing to launch the Reclamator, an upgraded, membrane-enhanced septic system, as the solution to Los Osos homeowners’ wastewater woes, while leaving behind a trail of intimidation, threats and failed lawsuits. Murphy’s still owes legal expenses of approximately $5,000 to the Court of San Luis Obispo County.

According to sources monitoring Murphy’s Lake Havasu activities, he has basically followed the same pattern, with the addition of taking on new legal-sounding titles and threatening even wider federal legal retribution against those who opposed permitting the Reclamator in Lake Havasu in an earlier attempt in that city during their sewer project. He has since filed nuisance suits that have been dismissed by the Lake Havasu courts.

— Ed Ochs & Aaron Ochs


Look for updates of this story on The Rock.