Joe Arpaio left office more than a year ago but for taxpayers, his legacy remains. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved a $7 million settlement on Wednesday to resolve a lawsuit against the Sheriff’s Office from Arpaio’s time as sheriff.
According to records provided by the Board Of Supervisors, the county will now have paid out more than $90 million on legal fees and settlements for claims against the Sheriff’s Office during Arpaio’s tenure.
That figure includes legal fees and settlement related to the jail, which will now exceed $40 million, and an additional $50 million in other settlements and fees related to the Sheriff’s Office such as the actions of an officer in the field.
The latest payment was the result of a settlement in the case of Ernest Atencio, who died in a MCSO jail after he was beaten and tased.
At the Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, Leonard Clark spoke in support of the settlement. He said he hoped Atencio’s death would not be in vain.
“I implore you to please, let this not occur again. I know it’s not an easy job but nobody should be brutalized that way,” he said.
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the settlement. County officials say the payment will now be made to the Atencio family.
