How does one begin to describe one of the most sleazy, despicable, dishonest, bigoted men in America to ever wear a badge? Sheriff Joe Arpaio, of Maricopa County, Arizona, is one of the very few conservative Italian Catholics in American public life today who can make Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey seem like a sedate, reasonable person; or makes Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, come off as enlightened, thoughtful, open-minded intellectual.
We really shouldn’t be surprised that the Massachusetts born Arpaio would find his way to a law enforcement career in a state that will never, ever in our lifetimes be known as a bastion of legality, ethical government, respect and tolerance for diversity.
Since first taking office in 1992, Arpaio has been accused by reasonable entities including the U.S. Department of Justice with:
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Keeping inmates in unconstitutional jail conditions
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Refusing to cooperate with the Federal government on legal cases or investigations regarding civil rights violations in his county
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Of encouraging his deputies to engage in racial profiling at all times. As such, law-abiding Latinos and African-Americans avoid Maricopa County if they can
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Detaining suspected illegal immigrants for extended periods of time without evidence
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Refusing to cooperate with grand jury investigations into allegations that he and staff continually abuse prisoners. Refusing to cooperate with county and state agencies charged with investigating him and his deputies for malfeasance. Refusing to cooperate with investigations instigated by charges that he chronically harasses and threatens judges and other government officials who publicly criticize or challenge him. Refusing to cooperate with the FBI in any of their investigations of his office or criminal activities in his jurisdiction.
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Arpaio is accused of misusing and mingling sheriff office’s monies and campaign funds for personal use
Thank you for this. But please, don’t lump all Arizonans in with this piece of crap. The biggest problem with Arizona is that a ridiculously low percentage of our population is actually from the state. Instead, we are overrun by people who chose to “escape” their home states. I live in Maricopa County and I have never — nor will I ever — vote for this man. Unfortunately, way too many of the transplants think he’s great.