Sheriff Leading Nancy Guthrie Case Faces Questions Over Past Job Exit

The sheriff overseeing the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie is facing renewed scrutiny after a report revealed inaccuracies in his publicly listed employment history.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department acknowledged Tuesday that Sheriff Chris Nanos’ online resume contained errors regarding the timeline of his early career in law enforcement.

The discrepancies surfaced after a local news report highlighted that Nanos’ first police job ended under circumstances not previously reflected in the public record.

According to records cited in the report, Nanos resigned from the El Paso Police Department in Texas in 1982 rather than continuing in the role until 1984 as his resume had indicated.

Department officials said the mistake was the result of administrative errors rather than an attempt to misrepresent his background.

“The Pima County Sheriff’s Department recently identified two clerical errors in Sheriff Chris Nanos’ publicly posted resume,” a department spokesperson said in a statement.

The department updated the document to reflect that Nanos served with the El Paso Police Department from 1976 to 1982.

Officials also corrected another detail, clarifying that Nanos was promoted to the rank of captain in 2007 rather than 2009.

The clarification came after the report alleged that Nanos left his first police job after disciplinary issues that accumulated during his six years on the force.

According to police records cited in the report, Nanos served in a decoy role designed to attract drug dealers and potential robbers. But his tenure reportedly included a series of disciplinary incidents.

The report claims that during his time in El Paso:

• Nanos accumulated 37 days of suspension over six years.

• Allegations included excessive use of force, tardiness, and off-duty gambling.

• One incident resulted in a 15-day suspension after an arrest in which a suspect was reportedly hospitalized.

The report also stated that Nanos resigned while facing the possibility of termination.

When contacted about the matter, the sheriff reportedly declined to answer detailed questions and instead responded with a brief message dismissing the inquiry as a “hit piece.”

The controversy arrives as Nanos leads the investigation into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of television host Savannah Guthrie.

Guthrie has been missing since February 1, and the case has drawn significant national attention.

Authorities initially held three press conferences during the first week of the investigation, with the most recent briefing occurring on February 5.

During one early update, Nanos acknowledged the pressure surrounding the case.

“I’m not used to everybody hanging on my words and trying to hold me accountable for what I say,” he told reporters.

In the weeks since, the investigation has faced criticism from some observers over the pace of updates and coordination with federal agencies.

Reports have suggested disagreements between local authorities and the FBI regarding aspects of the investigation, though officials have not publicly confirmed details of those discussions.

The sheriff has also been criticized for attending an Arizona Wildcats basketball game during the investigation while the missing woman’s family was publicly appealing for help.

More than five weeks after Guthrie’s disappearance, investigators have not publicly named any suspects or persons of interest.

Authorities have also not released details about vehicles or other potential evidence tied to the case.

Meanwhile, a substantial reward has been assembled to encourage information that could help locate Guthrie.

Officials say more than $1.2 million in reward money is now being offered for tips that lead to her recovery.

As the search continues, the questions surrounding the sheriff’s past have added another layer of scrutiny to a case already under intense public attention.

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