Fed probe of Arpaio began under Bush, from Mayor's complaint--NOT Maricopa Supervisors

[pinboy3niner]

Source: The Arizona Republic

The story notes that both Arpaio and his ally, former County Attorney Andrew Thomas, have blamed the investigation "on a left-wing conspiracy among U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and the White House."

This new report by the Republic reveals that the federal probe began even earlier, in December 2008--under the Bush Administration. Further, it had nothing to do with Arpaio's feud with the Maricopa County Supervisors, but arose from a complaint by the Mayor of Phoenix.

Joe Arpaio probe began in 2008
Federal investigators got letter from mayor
by Yvonne Wingett - Jul. 11, 2010 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic


A federal grand jury has spent the past eight months holding hearings in Phoenix to determine whether Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio should be indicted for alleged abuse of power.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Department of Justice want to know if Arpaio intentionally used the power of his office to retaliate against opponents. As the investigation unfolded, it expanded to include the actions of former County Attorney Andrew Thomas, Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Dave Hendershott and Deputy County Attorney Lisa Aubuchon.
<snip>

"It's more than ironic that Arpaio and Thomas, who have both been found by an impartial judge from Pima County to use politics in their prosecutions, would now accuse the Department of Justice of the same," Charlton said. "The reality is the abuse of authority investigation began under Attorney General Mukasey's watch while President Bush was president and while we had a Republican U.S. attorney in Arizona."
<snip>

Sources close to the investigation say if an indictment comes, it could be for violations of a civil-rights conspiracy statute or a racketeering statute. (The civil-rights statute makes it unlawful for two or more people to agree together to injure, threaten or intimidate.) A conviction on either could result in prison time.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2010/07/11/20100711joe-arpaio-probe-first-steps.html#ixzz0tMVcYbzn

According to the story, the grand jury last met June 30 and could take several more months to complete its investigation.

Here's the original Arpaio complaint letter from Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon:
http://www.azcentral.com/ic/pdf/arpaio-gordon-2008-investigation-letter.pdf

[SargeUNN]

1. But But Joe Said that Obama was after him

How is he going to account for BUSH being after him now? :P

[pinboy3niner]

2. LOL!

Those durn Democrats are so devious, they even got Republicans to carry out their plot for them! :tinfoilhat:

[Scurrilous]

3. K & R

:thumbsup: