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Friday, March 29, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Sheriff Arpaio Sues His Bosses Again

PHOENIX (CN) - Sheriff Joe Arpaio has sued his bosses again, claiming the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors blocked his access to funds after Arpaio refused to hand over financial documents. It's the ninth time Arpaio has sued his bosses in the past 2 years.

On May 24, Arpaio was granted a temporary restraining order stopping the Board of Supervisors from holding contempt proceedings after the board subpoenaed him.

Also that day, the board "took action to sanction MCSO for its alleged failure to comply with the board's subpoena" and "voted on a retaliatory resolution to freeze MCSO's access to the jail enhancement funds and to the racketeering influenced and corrupt organization funds," Arpaio claims in Maricopa County Court.

The sheriff's office has "several sources of special revenue funding," including the jail enforcement fund and the racketeering fund, which it uses for training, investigations and to buy equipment for SWAT, K-9 and drug task forces. The money is appropriated by the state and county.

On May 26, the board limited the sheriff's office's use of purchasing cards to $200 or less, hampering its response abilities and "placing the community and first responders in danger of injury or loss of life," Arpaio claims.

Arpaio claims the limit will hurt his undercover, day-to-day, and search and rescue operations.

Arpaio seeks declaratory judgment that the board does not have authority to oversee or block his access to the money, or place limits on purchasing card use.

Arpaio, who calls himself "America's toughest sheriff," has drawn media attention by his immigration raids and rough treatment of inmates, including housing them in tents, and putting them in chain gangs. Arpaio has been sued at least 75 times in the past 2 years, according to the Courthouse News database, often on civil rights charges.

Arpaio is represented by L. Eric Dowell with Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart.

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