http://news.yahoo.com/arizona-sheriff-responds-court-query-over-migrant-patrols-073119534.html
PHOENIX (AP) — In a bombshell revelation, Sheriff Joe Arpaio acknowledged Thursday that his office was behind a secret investigation into the wife of the judge presiding over a racial-profiling lawsuit against the brash Arizona lawman known for his anti-immigration patrols.
A contempt-of-court hearing in the case took the strange turn after the sheriff finished his testimony and Judge Murray Snow began asking him questions, including whether Arpaio was investigating him and his family.
"Are you aware that I've been investigated by anyone?" the judge asked.
Arpaio said he believed his former lawyer, Tim Casey, had hired a private investigator to investigate Snow's wife after she purportedly made a comment that about the judge not wanting the sheriff to get re-elected in 2012.
"We weren't investigating you," Arpaio told the judge. "We were investigating some comments that came to our attention."
The judge determined in 2013 that Arpaio's office systematically racially profiled Latinos during traffic stops and then convened the contempt-of-court hearing this week after Arpaio defied his orders to stop carrying out immigration patrols.
The case has battered Arpaio's legacy. He was once a hero to conservatives across the country for taking on immigration but has seen his political strength weaken with a series of negative court rulings and lawsuits.
"What we heard today is deserving of scrutiny by federal law enforcement because it is inappropriate — if not unlawful — to investigate a sitting district court judge," said Charlton, who isn't involved in the contempt case.
Arpaio's office has a long history of investigating his opponents. Two elected county supervisors and a judge were among those investigated and charged with crimes in the past decade after feuding with the sheriff's office.
The targets of the investigations said the allegations against them were trumped up. The failed investigations led to seven-figure settlements paid by the county to some targets of the investigations.
"I have a deep respect for the courts," Arpaio said. "It really hurts me after 55 years to be in this position. I want to apologize to the judge. I should have known more about these court orders that slipped through the cracks."
we are seeing several things come to light here first this guy is a criminal with no regard for the law he's sworn to uphold that alone is enough to jail him because of what he did that was ignoring the law. the article points out several things that are illegal so we should be looking at a slam dunk. the audacity of his arrogance in investigating a sitting judge ruling on his case was the proverbial straw that will break his back. and the last statement drips with insincerity given as he so proudly touted his 55 year tenure only beg to question was he corrupt from day one or when did he decide to be the HMDIC? (HEAD MF DIRECTLY IN CHARGE) it also proves the power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely and that nothing last forever not even racism clock is ticking a new world order is about to blossom God bless us all
