Memo Accuses Sheriff Arpaio of Wrongdoing

Never mind Joe Arpaio’s amazingly xenophobic and illegal policing practices concerning immigrants: An internal memo in the Maricopa County’s sheriff’s office is alleging that “America’s Toughest Sheriff” helped conduct politically motivated investigations and surveilled Arpaio’s own campaign rivals. —JCL

Los Angeles Times:

Top officials in the office of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio used its anti-corruption unit to conduct politically motivated investigations, misled the public about a campaign fund that helped Arpaio win reelection and surveilled the Arizona lawman’s campaign rivals, according to an internal memo from a high-ranking officer.

The 63-page memo, first reported Thursday by the Arizona Republic, blames Arpaio’s longtime No. 2 man, Chief Deputy Dave Hendershott, for the alleged criminal wrongdoing.

It comes as a federal grand jury is examining whether Arpaio and allies in the local prosecutor’s office abused their power by investigating and prosecuting political foes. Arpaio’s department is also the subject of a separate federal civil rights investigation into whether it uses racial profiling while enforcing immigration laws.

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Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio rides atop a military-style amphibious vehicle in a 2009 parade.