Yesterday federal prosecutors announced they are proceeding with criminal contempt-of-court charges against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, for his conduct in the Melendres, et.al. v. Arpaio, et.al. civil class action lawsuit. A US Department of Justice attorney stated investigation of obstruction of justice charges is ongoing, though no charges will now be filed.
The case began in 2007, and in 2011 Arpaio and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office was ordered to cease targeting, and illegally detaining, drivers based only on ethnicity or appearance in an attempt to enforce federal immigration policies, including holding well-publicized “immigration patrols”. Arpaio has already been charged with civil contempt of court based on his actions subsequent to those orders, repeatedly and intentionally disregarding the judge’s orders for more than 18 months and engaging in “multiple acts of misconduct, dishonesty, and bad faith” thereafter; the forthcoming criminal charges reflect the seriousness of those offenses, for such charges are rare.
Arpaio stated he will not “surrender” to the charges, that he did nothing wrong, and that the charges are motivated by politics; his attorney states he will plead not guilty.
This case is estimated to have cost Maricopa County and its taxpayers nearly $50 million dollars, and counting.
For further details on this story, see the azcentral.com article below:
Gordon Thompson
