While Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio continues to spend money on such things as giving Steven Seagal a tank and army to raid homes for his reality television program, county lawyers are trying to settle one of the many lawsuits over his abuse of his office. The latest payment of tax dollars went to retired county Superior Court Judge Kenneth Fields. We previously detailed the disgraceful actions taken by former County Attorney Andrew Thomas and Arpaio against judges who did not bend to their will.
While Thomas has been investigated for his unethical and unprofessional acts as county attorney, he has yet to be disbarred. Instead he made an unsuccessful run (with Arpaio’s support) for state attorney general.
The country has paid $100,000 to settle the case from retired county Superior Court Judge Kenneth Fields. By keeping the settlement at $100,000, the county was able to circumvent certain reporting and voting requirements. There are still numerous other lawsuits asking for millions for the abuses by Arpaio and Thomas. No wonder the state is having to charge people to see their loved ones in jail. Between casting reality shows and paying off victims of Arpaio, the county is likely to need every dime it can get.
Source: AZCentral
Well, I’m beginning to think that the voters of Maricopa county are suffering from Stockholm syndrome. This guy is like a dictator, and seems to do what he pleases, and still get reelected. I question his mental competency as well, with this birth certificate investigation he’s initiated. He’s misappropriating public funds, pushing people to bankruptcy and making them use online cash loans to stay afloat. I hope Joe likes green Bologna and pink underwear. Poetic justice for Joe! Too bad he will have to be in protective custody…he wont be able to live in those wonderful tents in the 300 degree heat.
http://drangedinaz.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/just-doing-hi-jo/ (see below, today’s Trackback posting)
I hope that the DOJ is successful and Arpaio finally gets his due…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/22/joe-arpaio-recall-randy-parraz_n_1294445.html “Sheriff Joe Arpaio Targeted By Arizona Recall Leader Randy Parraz In Ad (VIDEO)”
arpaio should be under the jail in pink underwear with a stale bologna sandwich. he must know where some serious bodies are laid for him not to be. with all the in your face crimes he and his office have committed. i mean he doesnt even listen to the white house or justice department who are also supposed to be investigating him
This type of arrogance breeds a certain disrespect for the law itself and I am sure with enough passage of time, Sheriff Arpaio will face his own day in court. Caveat haughty.
rafflaw and Gene,
A year of two ago, the Feds opened a telephone hotline to allow people to report on the Sheriff’s misdeeds; I don’t have the number, but I suspect it would be easy to find. If you have information that will lead to his arrest, by all means drop the dime.
I will echo Gene’s comments. Why is Sheriff Joe not in Federal prison already??
As to the Sheriff, the Newtimes a local weekly, has a clock running showing that the Feds have been investigating him for close to 1000 days. Maybe an indictment will eventually come, but I do wonder why it would take so long. One obvious answer is that they are fishing.
“While Thomas has been investigated for his unethical and unprofessional acts as county attorney, he has yet to be disbarred. Instead he made an unsuccessful run (with Arpaio’s support) for state attorney general.”
Maybe Mr. Thomas will be disbarred, but Arizona still has due process. Mr. Thomas has not yet had an opportunity for a hearing. The newspapers are showing that the first hearing date will be 9/12/11.
so, is it the Bar that has allowed our justice system to become such a Carnival?
“Do you think they would?”
AY,
They probably could afford it. Anyone who plays so fast and loose with the law, may well have been playing fast and loose in other areas.
BN,
Do you think they would?
I’m looking forward to seeing Arpaio’s relatives have to pay $25 to visit him.
The biggest mystery to me is why this Keystone Kop isn’t in one of his own jails already.
I kind of wish the Judge had not settled for a mere 100k….Do you think that the might have enough for a class action suit in Arizona?