Joe Appido's Legal Troubles: What Law Was Broken?

what law did joe appido break

Joe Arpaio, the self-proclaimed America's toughest sheriff, has been accused of breaking the law on multiple occasions. Arpaio, who served as sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, for 24 years, has been accused of unethical and illegal behaviour during his time in office. While he has denied any wrongdoing, there is significant evidence to suggest that he was involved in illegal activity.

One notable example is the investigation into County Supervisor Don Stapley, who was charged with 117 misdemeanour and felony counts related to his failure to properly fill out financial disclosure forms. However, it was later revealed that these charges were bogus, as the disclosure forms were not legally required. Despite this, Arpaio pushed for Stapley's arrest and even tailored his public statement to emphasise a shocking revelation of bribery, which was not supported by evidence.

In addition, Arpaio has been accused of misusing millions of dollars from a voter-approved jail tax fund for his own purposes. He and his office illegally dipped into this fund to finance deputy salaries, including those carrying out his political witch-hunts and anti-immigrant sweeps. When confronted with these allegations, Arpaio denied any wrongdoing and blamed others for the misuse of funds.

These are just a few examples of the legal issues surrounding Joe Arpaio. While he may have presented himself as a tough-on-crime sheriff, his actions suggest a pattern of breaking the law to serve his own interests.

Characteristics Values
Name Joe Arpaio
Profession Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona
Known as America's Toughest Sheriff
Books Joe's Law: America's Toughest Sheriff Takes on Illegal Immigration, Drugs and Everything Else That Threatens America
Ethical Problems Severe
Targeted Individuals County Supervisor Don Stapley, County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, Board of Supervisors Chair Andy Kunasek, Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk, County Attorney Bill Montgomery, Judge Gary Donahoe, AG Terry Goddard, Former State Treasurer David Peterson, Deputy Chief Bill Knight, Deputy Chief Jack MacIntyre, Deputy Chief Scott Freeman, Deputy Chief Paul Chagolla, Sergeant Brandon Luth, Captain Jimmy Miller, Sergeant Rich Burden, Deputy Lisa Allen, Captain Joel Fox, Deputy Larry Black, Press Reporter, Deputy Chief Frank Munnell, Chief Financial Officer Loretta Barkell, Attorney Grant Woods, Developer Conley Wolfswinkel, Bookkeeper Joan Stoops

lawshun

Joe Arpaio's unorthodox methods

Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Arizona's Maricopa County, gained a reputation for his unorthodox methods and toughness on crime. Here are some of his unorthodox methods:

  • He set up a "Tent City" jail, which he described as a "concentration camp," as a temporary extension of the Maricopa County Jail. This open-air jail was criticised by groups for violating human and constitutional rights. Inmates were subjected to extreme temperatures, with the temperature inside the tents reaching 145 °F (63 °C) in the summer.
  • He required inmates to wear pink underwear, which he claimed prevented its theft by released inmates and saved the county money. He also sold customised pink boxers as a fundraiser, but faced allegations of misuse of funds from these sales.
  • He limited inmates to two meals a day and served them Nutraloaf and food recovered from food rescue.
  • He banned inmates from possessing "sexually explicit material," including Playboy magazine, after female officers complained about inmates openly masturbating while viewing the articles.
  • He instituted female and juvenile volunteer chain gangs, where inmates worked long hours in exchange for high school credit.
  • He conducted saturation patrols and immigration sweeps, targeting Latino neighbourhoods and day labourers. He also targeted businesses employing Latinos and arrested employees who were unauthorised immigrants.
  • He failed to properly investigate serious crimes, including sex crimes and child molestations, with many victims being children of illegal immigrants.
  • He targeted and investigated political opponents, including judges, county supervisors, and administrators, resulting in multiple lawsuits and settlements.
  • He was accused of abuse of power, misuse of funds, criminal negligence, abuse of suspects in custody, improper clearance of cases, and election law violations.
  • He was a vocal member of the "birther" movement, investigating former President Barack Obama's birth certificate and claiming, without evidence, that it was forged.

lawshun

Joe Arpaio's views on illegal immigration

Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Arizona's Maricopa County, has been a controversial figure in American politics. He has been criticised for his aggressive stance on illegal immigration, earning him the nickname "America's Toughest Sheriff". Arpaio's views on illegal immigration have been a flashpoint for opposition, with many accusing him of racial profiling and civil rights violations.

Arpaio first took an outspoken stance against illegal immigration in 2005, styling himself as a tough sheriff who would crack down on undocumented immigrants. He became known for his immigration round-ups, where he would detain people based on their appearance and suspected immigration status. These round-ups often targeted Latino neighbourhoods and day labourers, with Arpaio justifying his actions by claiming he was going after "illegals". He also instituted an armed illegal immigration operations posse, which included actors Steven Seagal, Lou Ferrigno, and Peter Lupus.

Arpaio's tactics were found to be unconstitutional and in violation of civil rights. A federal court monitor was appointed to oversee his office's operations due to complaints of racial profiling. The U.S. Department of Justice concluded that Arpaio oversaw the worst pattern of racial profiling in U.S. history and subsequently filed a lawsuit against him for unlawful discriminatory police conduct. Arpaio was also found to have unfairly targeted Hispanics in conducting traffic stops.

In addition to racial profiling, Arpaio has been accused of other forms of police misconduct, including abuse of power, misuse of funds, failure to investigate sex crimes, criminal negligence, and abuse of suspects in custody. He has been the subject of numerous lawsuits and has cost taxpayers in Maricopa County over $140 million in litigation during his tenure as sheriff.

Despite the controversy and criticism, Arpaio maintained a high profile and sought media attention. He was known for his tough jail detention practices, such as serving inmates Nutraloaf and limiting meals to twice a day. He also required inmates to wear pink underwear, which he later sold as a fundraiser. Arpaio's actions and views on illegal immigration have left a lasting impact, with legal and compliance costs in a racial profiling lawsuit expected to reach $314 million by mid-summer 2025.

lawshun

Joe Arpaio's views on drug abuse

Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Arizona's Maricopa County, has been accused of numerous types of police misconduct, including abuse of power, misuse of funds, failure to investigate sex crimes, criminal negligence, abuse of suspects in custody, improper clearance of cases, unlawful enforcement of immigration laws, and election law violations.

Arpaio's jail detention practices included serving inmates Nutraloaf and limiting meals to twice daily. He also banned inmates from possessing "sexually explicit material" including Playboy magazine, after female officers complained that inmates openly masturbated while viewing the articles.

Arpaio's aggressive tactics ultimately led to a criminal conviction after he violated a court order to stop racially profiling Latinos. He was convicted of criminal contempt of court, a crime for which he was pardoned by President Donald Trump on August 25, 2017.

Arpaio's views on drug abuse are not explicitly stated, but his career in law enforcement and his actions as sheriff of Maricopa County provide some insight. Arpaio worked for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for 25 years and was stationed in Argentina, Turkey, and Mexico. During his time with the DEA, he was involved in drug enforcement and investigations.

As sheriff, Arpaio was known for his tough stance on crime and his controversial jail conditions. He set up a "Tent City" jail, which he described as a "concentration camp," where inmates endured harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures, inadequate medical care, and food deprivation.

While Arpaio's direct views on drug abuse may not be publicly known, his actions as a law enforcement officer and sheriff suggest a zero-tolerance approach to drug-related crimes. His tough-on-crime stance and aggressive tactics in enforcing drug laws indicate a hardline approach to drug abuse and a focus on punishment rather than rehabilitation.

lawshun

Joe Arpaio's views on drug enforcement

Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, was known for his tough stance on crime and controversial policies. He served as sheriff for over two decades, from 1993 to 2017, and his approach to law enforcement, particularly regarding immigration and jail conditions, sparked significant debate and garnered both supporters and critics.

Arpaio's views on drug enforcement were shaped by his experience with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). During his 25-year tenure with the DEA, he was stationed in Argentina, Turkey, and Mexico, and rose to the position of head of the DEA's Arizona branch. This experience influenced his tough-on-crime approach and his focus on immigration enforcement as sheriff.

As sheriff, Arpaio implemented several controversial initiatives, including increased traffic stops and checkpoints to identify undocumented immigrants, collaboration with federal immigration authorities to detain suspected undocumented immigrants, and public anti-immigration campaigns. He also established "Tent City," a makeshift outdoor jail with harsh conditions, which he claimed would deter crime.

Arpaio's views on drug enforcement were closely tied to his stance on immigration. He believed that illegal immigration was a serious issue that needed to be addressed through aggressive enforcement and collaboration with federal authorities. He regularly conducted saturation patrols and immigration sweeps, targeting Latino neighborhoods and day laborers. Arpaio also ran operations targeting businesses that employed Latinos, arresting employees who were unauthorized immigrants for identity theft.

In addition to his focus on immigration, Arpaio took a hardline approach to drug crimes. He reinstituted chain gangs and instituted the world's first all-juvenile volunteer chain gang, where volunteers earned high school credits. He also required inmates to wear pink underwear, which he claimed saved the county money by preventing theft.

Arpaio's tough stance on drug enforcement and immigration led to numerous lawsuits and allegations of civil rights violations, racial profiling, and abuse of power. In 2017, he was found guilty of criminal contempt for ignoring a court order to stop racial profiling. Despite the controversies, Arpaio maintained a strong base of supporters who appreciated his tough-on-crime approach and his willingness to confront illegal immigration.

lawshun

Joe Arpaio's views on law enforcement

Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, has been described as "America's Toughest Sheriff" and "the most hated lawman in America". He gained this reputation through his controversial policies and conduct during his time in office.

Arpaio's approach to law enforcement was characterised by a "tough on crime" mentality, which manifested in several ways. Firstly, he was known for his strict enforcement policies, particularly regarding immigration. He increased traffic stops and checkpoints to identify undocumented immigrants, collaborated with federal immigration authorities to detain suspected undocumented immigrants, and conducted public anti-immigration campaigns. Arpaio also established "Tent City", an outdoor jail with harsh conditions, which he described as a “concentration camp”. Inmates in Tent City endured extreme temperatures, with some reporting that their shoes melted from the heat. They were limited to two meals a day and were forced to wear pink underwear, which Arpaio later sold as a fundraiser.

Arpaio's tenure as sheriff was marred by numerous allegations and lawsuits. He was accused of racial profiling, abuse of power, civil rights violations, and misconduct. Arpaio was the subject of several federal civil rights lawsuits, with the US Department of Justice concluding that he oversaw the worst pattern of racial profiling in US history. He was also criticised for his failure to properly investigate serious crimes, including sex crimes and child molestations.

In addition to the above, Arpaio was accused of misuse of funds, criminal negligence, abuse of suspects in custody, improper clearance of cases, unlawful enforcement of immigration laws, and election law violations. He was named as a defendant in dozens of civil lawsuits, costing taxpayers in Maricopa County over $140 million during his tenure.

In 2017, Arpaio was found guilty of criminal contempt of court for ignoring a court order to stop racial profiling. He was pardoned by President Donald Trump, a decision that sparked controversy and was criticised by several prominent figures.

Arpaio's views on law enforcement can be summarised as taking a hardline stance, particularly towards immigration and inmates. His policies and conduct were divisive, sparking significant debate and garnering both staunch supporters and vocal critics.

Frequently asked questions

Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, has been accused of breaking several laws during his tenure. These include:

- Misuse of a jail-tax fund: Arpaio's office misspent $84 million from a voter-approved jail-tax fund and an additional $11.5 million from jail vending machine profits. Arpaio claims this was due to a "computer glitch," but the county considers it criminal.

- Abuse of power: Arpaio is accused of targeting political enemies with trumped-up criminal investigations, including supervisors Don Stapley, Mary Rose Wilcox, and Andy Kunasek. He also misused county funds to pay for deputies assigned to his pet projects, such as a human-smuggling task force and anti-immigrant sweeps.

- Campaign finance violations: Arpaio's office was implicated in a scheme to make an illegal campaign contribution to the state Republican Party by funneling funds through the Sheriff's Command Association (SCA). The contribution was used for a TV ad targeting Arpaio's opponent, Dan Saban, with false accusations.

- Obstruction of justice: Arpaio is accused of obstructing justice by ignoring legal and ethical concerns raised by his staff regarding the MACE unit's investigations. He also interfered in a criminal case against one of his political enemies, pressuring Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk to pursue charges despite a lack of evidence.

While Joe Arpaio has not been convicted of any crimes, there have been several investigations and consequences arising from his actions. Here's what happened:

- Investigations: The Arizona Attorney General's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office conducted investigations into various allegations against Arpaio and his office. The U.S. Attorney's investigation into the SCA scandal and campaign finance violations has been ongoing for over 2 years without any indictments.

- Internal probe: Arpaio requested an internal investigation into his office's internal machinations, which was handled by a political ally, Sheriff Paul Babeu. The resulting report, while whitewashing Arpaio's role, provides evidence of his involvement in illegal activity.

- Lawsuits: Arpaio and his office have faced multiple lawsuits. The Wolfswinkel family sued the county for unlawful search and seizure after their business was raided by Arpaio's MACE unit without probable cause. Additionally, Arpaio agreed to pay back the misspent jail-tax fund, totaling $99.5 million.

- Firings and resignations: Arpaio fired his second-in-command, David Hendershott, and Deputy Chief Larry Black, and placed Captain Joel Fox on leave for their roles in the SCA scandal. Several other MACE supervisors were also removed or transferred out of the unit for refusing to authorize illegal searches.

- Discredit and criticism: Arpaio's actions have led to widespread criticism and discredit. The State Bar of Arizona is scheduled to hold a hearing regarding the disbarment of former County Attorney Andrew Thomas and his lead prosecutor, Lisa Aubuchon, for their roles in the MACE investigations. Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk and retired CFO Loretta Barkell have also spoken out against Arpaio, with Barkell stating that he was directly involved in the misuse of the jail-tax fund.

As of the time of writing, Joe Arpaio has not been charged or convicted of any crimes. However, the investigations into his actions are ongoing, and there is significant evidence of wrongdoing.

Joe Arpaio's actions sparked a range of reactions from the public. He has been both praised and criticized for his tough stance on crime and immigration. Some view him as a hero and a true patriot, while others see him as a villain who abused his power. His actions have also sparked protests and lawsuits from those who believe their rights were violated. The investigations into his conduct and the resulting fallout have kept him in the public eye, with ongoing debates about his legacy and accountability.

Joe Arpaio's current activities are not widely publicized. After leaving office, he remained active in Republican politics and continued to promote his hardline stance on immigration. He has also faced legal consequences for his actions as sheriff, including the repayment of misspent funds.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment