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Unless you live under a rock, you know Sheriff Joe Arpaio: He's the aging lawman with a doughy face you see on TV, delivering sound bites about being "America's toughest sheriff." The one who relishes publicity.

And it's not just about being on TV, although anyone who's met Joe Arpaio will tell you that's a big part of it. No, Arpaio loves being sheriff — enough that he'll do just about anything to keep the job.

It's not just about running smart campaigns and working hard. That would be understandable, even admirable.

Instead, it's about intimidation and retribution. It's about coming after deputies who question the sheriff's carefully polished image. It's about seeking revenge on former allies who dare to support someone else. It's about silencing political opposition.

In his 14 years as sheriff, Arpaio has turned Maricopa County jails into dangerous hellholes. People have died in restraint chairs and they've died in inmate brawls. Miserable conditions even prompted an unprecedented investigation by Amnesty International, which, in its first-ever probe into a county jail, concluded that Arpaio's operation violated basic human rights.

But the most dangerous place in the county, after the jails, is on Sheriff Joe's bad side. Oppose him, and he'll follow you around, rifle through your trash, hold a press conference about how bad you are, even arrest you.

And these days, the sheriff's power to intimidate his political enemies is greater than ever.

That's because under Rick Romley, the County Attorney's Office served as a voice of reason to, and occasional brake on, Arpaio. Under Romley's successor, Andrew Thomas, the office has become a willing partner in political shenanigans.

No potential rival is immune from the pair's "investigations." No conflict of interest is ever acknowledged.

And no case is too petty to pursue, so long as the TV cameras are rolling.

Longtime readers of this newspaper are familiar with Joe Arpaio's history. Court records, signed affidavits, interviews, and archive searches reveal a long list of vengeful actions Arpaio has taken against political opponents:

• Sheriff's Office employees who've spoken out have endured slanted investigations from the sheriff's internal affairs unit, been transferred or fired, and sometimes been harassed at their new jobs.

• At least two men, Tom Bearup and Ernest Hancock, were tailed after they announced their interest in Arpaio's job. Arpaio's second-in-command, David Hendershott, targeted Bearup as a threat to the sheriff. Hendershott even ordered an underling to write a memo that painted Bearup, the sheriff's former top deputy, as a security risk.

• Deputies tapped the phone of Bearup's campaign aide, Jim Cozzolino. Deputies also rifled through his trash. Cozzolino was later arrested under dubious circumstances and served four months in jail. Cozzolino sued, claiming that Arpaio violated his constitutional rights. The sheriff was forced to settle.

• Republican activists say they've been penalized for backing candidates other than Arpaio. After Lee Watkins backed another candidate, deputies raided his business and home and launched a public investigation. Three years later, no charges have been filed.

• Arpaio's most recent foe, Dan Saban, was painted as a sexual deviant when Arpaio's people slipped a damaging report from a questionable source to a TV reporter. After Saban sued, the sheriff's lawyer wrote letters attempting to get Saban fired from his current job.

• Dan Pochoda, the Arizona ACLU's legal director, publicly fought with Arpaio about immigration and Arpaio's treatment of a jailed tuberculosis patient. At an immigration rally, sheriff's deputies hauled Pochoda to jail rather than issue him a citation. They claimed that Pochoda refused to leave the rally, held on private property.

Justice in Maricopa County has gotten only more warped since Arpaio and County Attorney Andrew Thomas formed an alliance.

They even formed a task force created to fight corruption, called Operation MACE. The task force has had questionable results:

• Its first indictment was of Russ Jones, a state legislator from Yuma. The charges were petty, at best, and were quickly dismissed by a judge.

• Seven months ago, the pair made much ado about their investigation of Attorney General Terry Goddard — one of Thomas' top political rivals. Thomas and Arpaio have issued numerous press releases, but the investigation has yet to yield a single indictment.

• A top Thomas aide worked closely with sheriff's deputies to investigate a campaign mailer from Democrat Jackie Thrasher, who was running for the Arizona House. Despite three search warrants, and the seizure of four computers belonging to a Democratic operative just weeks before the 2006 election, the case boiled down to a questionable decal shown in a photo on a campaign brochure. No charges have been filed. Thrasher's opponent, Jim Weiers, is the father of a Maricopa County sheriff's deputy.

The most recent example of Arpaio and Thomas' shoddy teamwork has been their most public screw-up. It's the story of what they tried to do to this newspaper.

Arpaio was angry that New Times printed his home address in a 2004 story that examined the sheriff's hidden commercial real estate investments. True to form, Arpaio sought revenge.

(Arpaio's office declined all comment for this story, citing ongoing litigation with this newspaper.)

In the New Times case, Arpaio wanted Thomas to prosecute under a never-tested Arizona law that made it a crime to publish a law enforcement officer's home address online.

Initially claiming a conflict of interest, Thomas referred the case to the Pinal County Attorney's Office. But, apparently at Arpaio's urging, Thomas asked for the case back and appointed his former boss, Dennis Wilenchik, as special prosecutor — an appointment rife with conflicts. At the time, Wilenchik was representing Arpaio in several civil lawsuits. The Arizona Supreme Court bars lawyers from prosecuting a matter if they've represented one of the parties civilly and conflicts exist.

Write Your Comment show comments (25)

  1. :-)
    It's time to show the public just who Bozo Joke Arpaio and his Goons just really are and why they represent everything bad in law enforcement and politic's.
    Well done Sarah. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
    Jim

    Comment by Jim Cozzolino — November 28, 2007 @ 08:11PM

  2. After reading this again.....You know what I find so offensive about all this ?

    There are no safety measurers in place, no checks and balances, no morals or ethics, and no one to protect any of us against tyrants running wild like Joe Arpaio, Dave Hendershott or Andrew Thomas. We are on our own against a system that is truly blind.
    Expect help from other elected leaders ? Don’t hold your breath, their more worried about protecting their own political asses than come to anyone’s aid or do the right thing when it comes to votes and politics’. Politicians = totally worthless, nothing but whores.

    Yes, people will say you can sue them if they violate your rights and have your day in court. What those people don’t realize is what you go through during the violation of your rights, the during, the aftermath, the financial cost fighting for your innocence, the unwarranted publicity and slander or the toll it takes on yourself and family.

    When it’s all said and done, then comes the civil suit and you get to relive the entire ordeal again mentally. Imagine spending 8 years of your life living this nightmare. I did, except it wasn’t a nightmare, it was reality.

    What kind of country is America when we allow tyrants like this to run ramped over our lives ? What kind of country do we live in that the law enforcement and prosecutors we trust to uphold the law are the ones that violate the laws the most ? Criminals commit crimes, eventually get caught and go to prison. Arpaio, Hendershott, Thomas and many others associated with these clowns do it routinely but get to hide behind badges and titles and go free while spitting in the face of justice along the way.

    I was a victim of all this, just one of many. At least I didn’t lose my life or spend years in jail or prison as so many have. So I guess I’m lucky.

    Wonder why so many have no trust in law enforcement, the prosecutors or the justice system anymore. Maybe it’s because they have been also a victim and have learned the hard way that none of them can be trusted to be honest, fair or protect the rights of those outside their circle. Assholes like Arpaio, Hendershott and Thomas show us that everyday.

    When the law breaks the law and the justice system looks the other way, there is no law, just a fight for survival. It’s a sad, sad time when any of us can sit back and allow this to happen in America.

    Arpaio, his Goons and Thomas need to be sent packing in 2008. Jail would be better….

    This is not the America I grew up in and spent 4 years in the US Marine Corps fighting for.

    Nice job Sarah !

    Jim Cozzolino

    Comment by Jim Cozzolino — November 28, 2007 @ 09:32PM

  3. Kudos to New Times for having the moxie to stand up for what's right, call an ass, an ass, and shine the spotlight on the evil of what has become politics in the Valley of the Sun. No southern good ol' boy network, including the infamous Macon County, has ever eclipsed the shenanigans Arcarupto and his gang have pulled in MC.

    Now, if the residents of Sun City would just get a clue, you might be able to get rid of him and all his flunkies, including his boy toy Thomas.

    Comment by Dr. John — November 28, 2007 @ 09:49PM

  4. Attention Sheriff Joke, Adolf Hendersh_tt and Candy_ss Thomas! Your days of running roughshod over the rights and lives of the good people in this County are over! The Citizen's Selective Enforcement Unit is at this very moment amassing evidence that will bring an inglorious end to your blighted (and bloated) careers. Any and all missteps are being recorded, your activities and daily routines are being followed and even the company you keep is being scrutinized.
    Remember, this is only the beginning. The heat will be continually increased until you are publicly humiliated and unceremoniously and permanently ousted from public service. You are violators of the public trust and deserve a heaping dose of citizen justice. It's on the way!

    Comment by Donny Brook — November 29, 2007 @ 09:23AM

  5. The ongoing stories about abuses by the sheriff are horrifying.

    Doesn't the federal government have the authority to investigate the repeated civil rights violations?

    Comment by Lucinda — November 29, 2007 @ 10:54AM

  6. Thanks to New Times once again for its probing investigative journalism. One small but significant nit: in its description of Tim LaSota, who is a fine attorney, the article refers to his membership in the "far right" Federalist Society. The Federalist Society is comprised of thousands of attorneys and law students who run the gamut from conservative to moderate to libertarian. It includes the likes of Richard Epstein and Robert Bork, who fundamentally disagree on constitutional interpretation. The Society does not take positions on any public policy issues, but hosts hundreds of debates every year, always including moderate and liberal perspectives. Several law school deans have remarked to me that their schools would have no debate whatsoever were it not for the Federalist Society. I have been a card-carrying member of the Society for two decades yet sided unequivocally with New Times in the subpoena dispute with the County Attorney's office. The only thing one can infer about an attorney associated with the Federalist Society is that he or she believes strongly in the Constitution---though what that means varies widely among individual members. Neither the Society nor all or even many of its members are "far right." For a newspaper that values intellectual diversity, membership in a truly diverse organization shouldn't count as a strike.

    Clint Bolick
    Goldwater Institute

    Comment by Clint Bolick — November 29, 2007 @ 02:56PM

  7. So where is the rest of the "main-stream media" on this? Why are they so cowardly about reporting this stuff? This should be on the cover of every newspaper in the state. They should be ashamed of themselves. Maybe we ought to organize an effort to write complaint letters to the FCC when their licenses are up for renewal that they're ignoring the public good.

    Comment by CooperG — November 30, 2007 @ 07:23AM

  8. For more then a decade you have offered detail on the sheriff. To what end? If anything the popularity of Joe Arpaio reveals what a lot of worthless indifferent individuals the majority of Phoenicians are. Our leaders reflect more or less the kind of people who elect them.

    Comment by P.S. Burton — November 30, 2007 @ 08:12PM

  9. Thanks for all the info. Regular Citizens like me ignore whats really going on. People please weak up this is hurting our state we can have this people on our public offices. Keep the good work to inform the society.

    Comment by Erika Page — November 30, 2007 @ 10:35PM

  10. Well, Joe's got nothing on the recently 10 count indictment of Mike Carona, Orange County's top deputy; along with his wife and long-times mistress.
    http://www.ocweekly.com/features/features/they-got-the-sheriff/27973/

    See www.FamilyLawCourts.com/badcop.html or www.FamilyLawCourts.com/statearizona.html for more information.

    Comment by Bonnie Russell — December 1, 2007 @ 10:08AM

  11. Ode to Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

    Out in Arizona there’s a sheriff named Joe
    A man you really don’t want to know.
    He seeks praise in the morning, praise at night
    He bellows and blows, with all of his might.
    His tongue is his drum his lips are his fife
    He needs attention to survive in this life.
    With his trusty .50 he rides on his tank
    Is he there, I wonder, to protect the bank?
    No the reply, a long way from it,
    Such media hype, it makes some want to vomit.
    Says Joe to Critics, “But my toys are essential
    There really important, because I am special. .
    “I’ll lock e’m up with underwear pink,
    To eat old bologna that’s green and stinks.
    Those programs are sacred, according to Joe
    But many know better, it really just for show.
    Still lacking in honesty and truth like in the past
    His ranking in openness, really, that’s last.
    His treatment for those who have crossed the line
    He becomes a tyrants, he gives them little time.
    With the demeanor and grace of a hungry boar hog
    His fellow men and associates he treats like a dog.
    With those of his ilk, Adolph, Stalin and others,
    No question at all, he’s one of their brothers.
    Joe’s retribution is sharp like a sword
    Deputies and others dare not say a word.
    Officials and citizens will all cringe in fear
    Whenever our egotistical tyrant is near.
    They must watch their tongue, they used to be free
    Joe says, “They still are as long as they agree with me.”
    For county Maricopa, Joe has not come cheap
    Of lawsuits and such you’ll never hear him peep.
    Among us friends, ‘its a million here or there?
    After all its only money, the taxpayers shouldn’t care. .
    When came this Lone Ranger on the scene minus Tonto
    He promised to cleanup crime very pronto.
    But the dark little secret, in his war against crime
    He’s a sadist, a Neanderthal, way behind the time.
    He’s a very quick study, he’s all about bluster
    Of humanity to man, he’ll never make muster.
    Just like his ethics his stature is small,
    But sine die is not his nature at all.
    Like the tyrant he is, he can’t understand
    Why his days to rule we would like to see end.
    When he departs this wonderful world
    The one in which he made many twirl,
    Without his consent or even a word
    He’ll be sent very quickly off to the morgue.
    From that time he’ll certainly discover
    It’s too late now to run for cover.
    Like fabled Marley, he’ll then be a ghost
    And start the journey, will it end in a roast?
    Will he then find, to his utter dismay
    Decent treatment of people is a much better way.
    With chains self-forged heavy, weighted down
    Will he soon be wandering all around town?
    Chain gangs, tent city and other locations
    To see inhumanity he set in motion.
    Some have been fooled and think he’s a gift
    But he certainly has put the law adrift,
    A wretched creature, sad to look upon
    The chains he forged go on and on.
    In his wanderings he may have to view
    The many wretches he once knew
    He could have helped them to a better life
    But his cruel intent was grief and strife.
    Now through eternity he may go
    To his proper fate, yes, ol’e Sheriff Joe.
    Questions asked will certainly not be
    About the tent city you wanted the public to see,
    Or how much pain, no it wasn’t necessary,
    For those in your charge that had to tarry.
    Mans welfare is your business, that you already know
    You’ll get your reward when you get below.
    With lies you belong, you are full of hatred and deceit,
    Those warm coals may soon be toasting your feet.
    Do unto others, didn’t he ask that of you?
    But, No, self-promotion was all you knew.
    What did you do with your days that were numbered?
    Make people miserable, no help for those who hungered.
    Did you ever extend your hands out to all?
    No, but you did all you could to make them look small.
    Your days they are numbered, no one knows how many
    But you, who could have helped did not “give a fig or a penny”
    You lacked compassion for those in your charge
    With you, little old sheriff, that order was too large.
    Don’t you know keeping us safe in the land
    Does not call for brutalizing those in your hand?
    Now in time your body will lay on that slab
    As your alumni cheer, their heart is very glad.
    Mr. O’Dell, The undertaker Digby by name
    Has come to let you down, last, yes, that is his game.
    The problem he has with you is that of a blevie and
    To find the answer, Digby must think very heavy.
    A blevie, you ask, just what might that be
    But the answer is really not hard to see.
    A blevie to most can best be described
    As a 5 pound sack, with 10 pounds of manure inside.
    Now back to old Digby, so solemn around town
    If he accomplishes this feat, he’ll soon be renowned
    Ole Digby will pull he will push and then thrust
    Cause Joe’s box is too small, but in Digby there’s trust.
    With Digby the light goes on, he’s a genius not a fool
    The answer was something he learned back in school.
    Inserting the tube in the appropriate spot,
    Turning the switch the device getting hot.
    Joe’s middle it slowly starts to subside
    As the contents flow into the sink from his insides
    Old Digby then left the room
    His lunch to eat, you see it was noon.
    But on and on churned the trusty machine
    It worked and it worked, Joe’s insides became clean.
    When it was finished, awe filled the air
    There was room in the box and plenty to spare.
    Now the original box planned for his worship
    Could hold 50 his size and not one would slip.
    Digby knew of a box, how great it would fit
    So much room, in it Joe upright could sit
    Away to a closet he flew like a flash
    Gleefully dancing and singing, back he did dash.
    By now you will know or probably guessed
    Although in this small box, Joe would not be compressed.
    Yes, the size of this box will certainly do,
    There’s plenty of room without shoe number two.
    The story is legend and causes wry smiles
    Really its true, Digby’s without guile.
    No matter the size be it large, medium or small
    Digby can find the right box for all.


    Anonymous

    Comment by Anonymous — December 2, 2007 @ 04:33AM

  12. It just goes to show that power in the wrong hands corrupts, the next thing you know they will have us all running around in short pants shouting Joe is God, frankly i think that instead of taking it to the Arizona Attoney General they should take it to the US Attorney General and the FBI to investigate the multitude of injustices at the hands of Andrew Thomas and Sherrif Joe.

    They make me not want to vote or to change parties, as for what he did to Dan Saban all I ca say is this, from what I have heard of the man (which is quit alot from my own source) He is a fine leader at his job, who has integrity ad loyalty to those who deserve it. what was done to him is a shame and i hope that he runs agains Joe again and wins. This is not a police state.

    Comment by Angel — December 3, 2007 @ 05:57PM

  13. The scariest thing about Joe Arpaio, is the people who continue to elect him.

    Comment by Patt — December 3, 2007 @ 08:24PM

  14. This really absolutely blows me away! How stupid can one county be? I guess maybe it's just the San Francisco Liberal in me that is just screaming!!!! The sherriff and Thomas have got to go... Beware you have no rights in this county. Great Article!! Paints the entire picture! I've never voted for him and never will!!!

    Comment by Emma — December 4, 2007 @ 09:27AM

  15. I agree with #12. The FBI and US Attorney General needs to be notified of this. Why with all this information would the State of Arizona allow this to continue? If your politicians are this weak you really need some Federal help. Call in the BIGGER DOGS!

    Comment by Morris1 — December 4, 2007 @ 11:01AM

  16. If we are to get rid of corrupt tyrants like Candy and Joke, don't sit back expecting an investigation by the state or fed to get rid of them. If it even happened, it would take well over a year. Next year we all have the chance to vote both of these scums out of office. Don't expect other people to wake up and go out and vote for Sabin and whoever runs against Candy. Make sure YOU are registered, and get off your asses and go to the polls and put your vote where your mouth is . Really, you don't even need to do it on election day, you can ask for a mail in ballot or go to County Elections and vote early the week before,if that would be convenient. If you can't be bothered to vote, then shut up about it, because you aren't helping anything. You can bet your ass and the farm that every hard headed brainless geezer in Sun City & Sun Lakes will be out there voting for both idiots. Only you and the rest of us can make a change at the polls. We can be rid of both of them in a year!

    Comment by Larry — December 4, 2007 @ 02:03PM

  17. Absolutely Larry. Great post.

    Comment by Jim Cozzolino — December 4, 2007 @ 09:33PM

  18. Clint Bolick is the biggest hypocrite of all time - now he signs on to Andrew Thomas re-election campaign - are you kidding me

    Comment by Sue — December 4, 2007 @ 10:28PM

  19. you people are really scary...Sheriff joe is the only one that CARES about the citizens of phoenix...the criminals belong behind bars...they shouldnt get any privileges and they shouldn't have any fairness...they are criminals...I kinda figured it, though as New Times always has tried its best to show the bad side of everything..that's the only way they get any readers....readers, who in my opinion are less than intelligent...to print something like this about a public official...shows your level of intelligence...shame on you...

    Anyone in Maricopa county who respects the laws of this community and state will continue to stand behind our Sheriff....YOU GO JOE....WE LOVE YOU.

    Comment by Lisa — December 9, 2007 @ 01:22AM

  20. Anyone who still supports Joe Arpaio is either just as corrupt, immoral and mean as he is or they have a personality disorder that prevents them from admitting when they have been wrong. The fact that he is still sheriff is probably the most amazing thing that I have known in my life.....and I'm 65 years old!

    Comment by Peggy Simpson — December 12, 2007 @ 04:54PM

  21. Intimidating politicians and blatant disrespect to the justice system and human rights in general...hang at tent City and experience the rats,cold,no hot water, or heat,noxious fumes,unidentifiable (sic) food,bird crap in your sleeping cot,inches of water and soaked sleeping mats.DO's that graduated from evil college,who change the rules daily.I could go on but you would throw up.

    Comment by gladiata — December 14, 2007 @ 08:18AM

  22. Lisa? You are kidding with this statement, right? "the criminals belong behind bars...they shouldnt get any privileges and they shouldn't have any fairness"


    WHICH of the people who died before they EVEN GOT TO TRIAL was a criminal? How do you KNOW they were a criminal? SIMPLY for being arrested? The arresting office is not judge and jury -- and the sheriff's office shouldn't be executioner.

    One of the women who died was arrested for RIDING in a car that had been reported stolen. RIDING in it. A PASSENGER, who may or may not have even known the status of the car! But she'll never get to tell her side of the story because she died a horrible and excruciate death as all of her body organs shut down when she was REFUSED the insulin that would keep her alive.

    Thank god THAT "CRIMINAL" will never get to RIDE in another stolen car again!! We are SO much safer as a community now!

    Comment by Michele — December 21, 2007 @ 07:54AM

  23. man, nobody is scared of that stinky fat pig. He's only big in stinky hick arizona which is the butthole of america. How is he gonna teach people english when he drawls in that dumb american drawl that all blue collar working class idiots have.

    Comment by I hate pigs — December 26, 2007 @ 07:55PM

  24. thank god america is changing and hispanics and minorities are taking over. Soon, fat white trash like Joe whatever his wop name is will be gone. He talks about how people need to speak english in america. That dago white trash is about to be obsolete. All you white trash should stay in Arizona with your monkey looking cops. If that guy came to Los Angeles we would be having Joe Ar pig io sausage for breakfast for 10 years. HA HA HA HA

    Comment by pedro — December 26, 2007 @ 08:05PM

  25. I thought that every one in Phoenix the surronding Counties knew that they are all suspect of something or another in the eyes of the county atty and his henchmen I my self have been under scrutiny for the Last 12 years ,and yes they have done quite a bit of damage to me and there is no-one that I can tell ,and believe me I have tried to tell my city council member and others no one wants to hear what these so -called big shots are doing to the citizens until it happens to them ,I have had 3 heart attacks as a result of the equiptment that they are useing and for the period of time that they have been useing this stuff on me ,I am sure that I am radio active I don't know the correct coarse to take or who to get in touch with I have had Graves desece ,hypo thyroid,leg and muscel gramps that won't go away for a time ,medical bills that are running in access of 450,000 @ this point and it continues ,I don't know what kind of criminal I must be to have the county atty's office concentrating on me day and night all I know is that I must've steped on some big shot 's toes some where ,I don't know what to do @ this point ,but I do know that I am not going to take this to the grave

    Comment by WITJ 1 — December 28, 2007 @ 11:18AM

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