Rival blames Joe Arpaio for costs in racial profiling case

Source: Associated Press

Rival blames Joe Arpaio for costs in racial profiling case
by: JACQUES BILLEAUD, Associated Press Updated: Sep 21, 2016 - 9:06 PM

PHOENIX (AP) — The sheriff of metro Phoenix is facing stinging criticism from his political rival over the financial impact of a racial profiling case that targeted his trademark immigration patrols and is expected to cost taxpayers $72 million by next summer.

County officials voted Wednesday to pay $4.4 million in legal fees to lawyers who won the case against Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Most of the fees are attributed to Arpaio's contempt-of-court violations for ignoring a court order to stop his immigration patrols.

Paul Penzone, the sheriff's Democratic challenger, rejected claims by Arpaio's office that the lawyers who filed the case were responsible for the costs.

"There is no room for them to try to portray themselves as victims when they created a problem that we are paying for," Penzone said.


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