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Sheriff Joe Under Grand Jury Investigation
The Los Angeles Times via YellowBrix
January 08, 2010
PHOENIX — Two top county officials said Thursday night they have been subpoenaed to answer questions next week before a federal grand jury about a high-profile Arizona sheriff and his office.
In statements read by a county spokesman, Maricopa County Manager David Smith and Deputy County Manager Sandi Wilson said they met with a federal prosecutor to discuss the case and will testify Wednesday.
Wilson said the general subject of the inquiry was abuses by Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s office. Neither Wilson nor Smith offered specifics, said county spokesman Richard de Uriarte, who spoke with the two officials Thursday night.
Sheriff’s spokesman Brian Lee said Arpaio was declining to comment on reports of the investigation. “He has stated that we will conduct business as usual,” Lee said.
Sandy Raynor, a spokeswoman for the U.S attorney’s office in Phoenix, said she couldn’t confirm or deny a grand jury investigation.
Arpaio and an ally are embroiled in nasty legal disputes with county officials and judges. Two county supervisors and one county judge have been criminally charged in investigations by Arpaio and County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
Last month, Arpaio and Thomas filed a federal racketeering lawsuit against a group of county administrators, judges and attorneys, accusing them of participating in a conspiracy to hinder an investigation into a $341 million court building under construction in Phoenix and the investigation of Supervisor Don Stapley.
Arpaio is widely known for tough jail policies and pushing the bounds on local immigration efforts. He has led a dozen crime and immigration sweeps, some in heavily Latino areas.
Critics allege that some of Arpaio’s deputies racially profiled people during immigration sweeps. But Arpaio maintains that people pulled over in the sweeps were approached because deputies had probable cause to believe they had committed crimes.
He was told in March that his office is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations of discrimination and unconstitutional searches and seizures. Arpaio had said he believed the investigation was spurred by his immigration efforts.
Last year, Arpaio was stripped of some of his special authority to make federal immigration arrests, though he retains some federal power that allows his jail officers to speed up deportations.
A half-day after his powers were limited, he launched a crime and immigration sweep and has since continued his enforcement of state laws banning immigrant smuggling and prohibiting businesses from knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.
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dhuitt
over 3 years ago
222 Comments
Go Sheriff Joe!!!! You have my support 110%!!. He must be doing something right if he keep getting elected by the people he serves! The West will be in serious jeopardy if these scum bags succeed. Lawyers! Sometimes I think Maricopa County is the only thing anchoring the West preventing the California 9th Circuit from sucking everything down the toilet.
ssciaretta
over 3 years ago
258 Comments
Sounds like more liberal BS to me. This man has had the backbone to stand up to all the corupt politicians and now they want to draw him out for doing his job. I hope the people of Maricopa County stand behind this Man as we all should.
ilegworldchamp
over 3 years ago
8998 Comments
Sheriff Joe Arpiao is the re-incarnation of "Sheriff Buford Pusser". We all know how bad the bad guys hated him.
Anonymous
over 3 years ago
Did I mention there's a Sheriff Joe Fan Club?
http://policelink.monster.com/groups/3293-joe-arpaio-fan-club
(and yes, I too would love to see him run for president)
Lawful_Blue
over 3 years ago
1184 Comments
What?!? Yeah okay..............
Anonymous
over 3 years ago
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Throwing away millions of dollars we simply cannot afford
Using New York City as a political arena, when it is still recovering from the trauma of that horrible day
Exposing the city’s fine citizens to this travesty, exploiting them for their selfish agenda
We are committed to having AG Holder reverse his decision and move this trial back to a military tribunal where it belongs.
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Editor in Chief, Human Events
P.S. This battle can be won, but we need your support. Our safety from terror may well hang in the balance. Stop this disgrace now by signing our petition. And help keep us safe from future terrorists who will fear nothing more than a chance at world-wide publicity.
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15TOM21
over 3 years ago
216 Comments
Anyone should thank god they are lucky enough to work for a Sheriff like Joe.
mschafer3
over 3 years ago
94 Comments
I beleive in Sheriff Joe and stand behind him 100%!!!!!!!!! These POS's are still being treated better than they treated their poor victims. GO JOE GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IrishCrusher
over 3 years ago
18 Comments
Sheriff Joe is an American Hero. One of a few that make up a Minority of top Police Administrators left in this country who have integrity and believe in doing the right thing just because it's the right thing to do. Not because some politician wants you to in order to please the voters and scumbags. They are definitely on a witch hunt because Joe intimidates and scares the hell out of them because they know he's no sell out or lapdog who will go for anything. They know they could be the next big news and indictment if they don't handle him and put him out of office. What a crooked and corrupt country and society we have become. We have to stand up and take this nation back and vote these dishonest scumbags out of office and start putting men like Sheriff Joe back into office.
Anonymous
over 3 years ago
Go Get'em Sheriff Joe
Anonymous
over 3 years ago
I have said before I think Sheriff Joe Rocks! He's got the right idea. It's not supposed to be a Tea Party its Prison!
goodd2000
over 3 years ago
122 Comments
Of course they have to go after one of the best Sheriff's in the US, because he is probably really the only Sheriff going out and doing the right thing, and not caring about "the votes" like most Sheriff's do.
Sheriff Joe keep doing what you have been doing, and don't stop!
mkiprotection
over 3 years ago
2386 Comments
Leave Joe alone BHO!!!
mike2talk2
over 3 years ago
2028 Comments
GO JOE!!!
Anonymous
over 3 years ago
It is as if they are just going to keep going after the "good guys," while they allow the "bad guys" free reign!
&
"Critics allege that some of Arpaio’s deputies racially profiled people during immigration sweeps."
If they are looking for Mexican illegal immigrants, doesn't it stand to reason that they will be looking for a specific race? (on a whole)
Debra...