Nearly 10 years after the suit was filed, and almost five years after being ordered to desist in targeting Latino drivers in traffic stops and well-publicized immigration patrols, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a subordinate and one of his attorneys, are being referred to federal prosecutors for criminal charges stemming from the Melendres, et.al. v. Arpaio, et.al. civil class action lawsuit.
Earlier this year United State District Court Judge Murray Snow found Arpaio in civil contempt in the case, and engaging in “multiple acts of misconduct, dishonesty, and bad faith”. Last month the court appointed an independent overseer of the MCSO and its internal affairs. It is now up to federal prosecutors to decide if criminal charges are warranted.
Arpaio was found to have repeatedly and intentionally disregarded the court’s orders to change policy and procedures, and to provide records regarding same, to have misrepresented the court’s orders to the rank-and-file, and to have then made false statements under oath to hide those facts. Maricopa County is estimated to have spent $50 million dollars to-date as a result of the suit.
For more information on this story, see the New York Times article below:
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