Famed Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio, former County Attorney Andrew Thomas and their top deputies have been investigated by the FBI for abuse-of-power. According to The Arizona Republic newspaper, the FBI is convinced they have sufficient evidence to charge some of the probe’s targets.
The investigation has been going on for some time, Yet federal prosecutors not to prosecute at this time because of “a lack of evidence or an insurmountable burden of proof.”
Sheriff Joe Arpaio thinks the Obama administration sent the FBI on a witch hunt, but they failed to find anything.
No word on whether this could be seen as an abuse of power on the part of the Obama administration.
The FBI’s three-year investigation concluded in August 2012, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Arizona produced no indictments. Arpaio’s team had been scrutinized for civil-rights violations, misuse of public money and perjury, according to the Arizona Republic
The Republic found the “the report makes clear that FBI agents believed evidence was strong enough to prosecute some of those under investigation. Due to redactions, it is impossible to ascertain from the FBI records how many county law-enforcement officials were referred for criminal charges, who they were, or what conduct was considered unlawful.”
Sheriff Arpaio did not comment on the FBI investigation. It is likely he was advised to remain silent. As we know, silence is not one of his virtues. He did comment in 2012, when he said “If I did something wrong, there would be indictments floating all over the place.”
The FBI began their investigation after receiving complaints from former Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and other local officials about Arpaio. The probe later expanded to include possible state crimes.
As we know, investigations and court cases are not cheap, and with federal, state and local officials involved, taxpayers always end up with the bill. In this case, it has cost at least $44.4 million for the legal battles.
Sheriff Arpaio announced that his own investigation should result in a report in the next few weeks. As reported in NewsBlaze, Washington has not been paying attention. Washington DC Unprepared For Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Universe Shattering Surprise
It will be interesting to see if the Sheriff’s investigation leads to any prosecutions.
