By rssfeeds-admin Paul Cozzens, commissioner for Iron County, was investigated by the county’s human resources department for an interaction he had with staff at the Iron County Jail on Jan. 16. The report alleges Cozzens “requested special treatment” for his son’s medical condition.
Cozzens’ son, Blake, was arrested by Cedar City Police officers after an investigation found that Blake had reportedly embezzled nearly $1.9 million from property that he manages.
Court documents say Blake made members of the public “fear for their lives and those of their families if he is released, to the point they want to leave town.” He is being held on a no-bail warrant in Iron County Jail.
According to the report obtained by ABC4.com, Blake was arrested and booked on Jan. 15, where he identified needs for medical accommodations. On Jan. 16, Cozzens allegedly came to the county jail and requested to speak with staff about his son’s medical needs.
Witnesses reported seeing Cozzens “assert his authority” and that he was responsible for building the new jail. Staff reported feeling that Cozzens was using his authority to “leverage influence” and that they feared for their job security if they didn’t comply with Cozzens’ requests.
“Multiple staff accounts indicate that Commissioner Cozzens referenced his role in county government while making requests for his son’s medical needs,” the report reads. “This report indicated that their claims are substantiated as the recording corroborated their accounts.”
During the Iron County Commission meeting on Feb. 24, an emotional Cozzens addressed commissioners and county officials regarding his son’s arrest and the effect it has had on their family.
“I know I didn’t handle the situation well that night…” Cozzens began. “[My wife] and I were both extremely emotional. I was deeply concerned for my son’s health, and I reacted inappropriately, but never did I ever threaten anyone’s job. I apologized then, and I apologize now for my actions.”
In a statement provided to ABC4.com, Cozzens critiqued the report, saying that the timeline of events and details conflicted with the recording referenced within the report.
“Unfortunately, the internal report was prepared and important details conflict with the recording and with the timeline of events,” Cozzens’ statement read. “As a commissioner, the jail is not my department, and I have no authority relating to the jail or its personnel beyond input in the overall budget.”
He continued: “I have made mistakes, and I own them. But I will never apologize for being a concerned father and ensuring my son’s health at his lowest point.”
Blake currently faces 10 unlawful fiduciary dealing charges, all second-degree felonies. He is scheduled for a hearing on March 11.
Read Cozzens’ full statement below:
My priority that night was my son’s health. Emotions ran high, and I regret how I handled the situation. I was concerned about his medical needs and did not ask for any more consideration than what any other inmate would receive. I never threatened anyone’s job and specifically asked for no special treatment, and I apologize for anything I said that was out of line.
Unfortunately, the internal report was prepared and important details conflict with the recording and with the timeline of events. As a commissioner, the jail is not my department and I have no authority relating to the jail or its personnel beyond input in the overall budget. I am also concerned that former Cedar City Mayor Maile Wilson Edwards somehow learned of this internal matter and decided to GRAMA request and release this record for political gain on the heels of her lost bid for a commission seat last year.
I have made mistakes, and I own them. But I will never apologize for being a concerned father and ensuring my son’s health at his lowest point.
Paul Cozzens, Iron County Commissioner
ABC4.com has reached out to former Mayor Maile Wilson Edwards for comment, but has not yet heard back.
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