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Sheriff Joe Will Miss DOJ Deadline for Records

By Joe Palazzolo

A lawyer for Maricopa Sheriff Joe Arpaio said his client would miss the Justice Department’s Aug. 17 deadline for turning over records related to a civil rights investigation, calling the agency’s request too broad.

Robert Driscoll, a partner at Alston & Bird LLP in Washington, told KPHO.com he planned to meet with Justice Department lawyers next week to discuss the records request.

(photo courtesy of immigrationclearinghouse.org)

Earlier this month, Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez, head of the Civil Rights Division, threatened to sue the sheriff if he continued to impede the federal investigation.

Arpaio has said he believes the investigation is politically motivated and has refused to hand over documents until his office received ?appropriate assurances? that the DOJ is not improperly coordinating its probe with the Department of Homeland Security.

The Civil Rights Division is investigating allegations that Arpaio’s office engaged in unlawful searches and seizures, discriminatory police conduct and failed to provide language assistance to individuals with limited English proficiency.

County officials have expressed concern that the federal government will withhold funding from Maricopa County if Arpaio fails to cooperate with the Justice Department.

Full post as published by Main Justice on August 17, 2010 (boomark / email).