Maricopa County is contesting some of its liability over lawsuits tied to former Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The county is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.
County taxpayers have already paid $90 million over a racial profiling lawsuit from Arpaio’s time as sheriff. County Attorney Bill Montgomery says the Sheriff’s Office (not Maricopa County) is the proper target of the lawsuit. He’s appealing the latest ruling from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which says the county is liable.
The appeal isn’t aimed at recouping the millions of dollars taxpayers have already paid. Instead, Montgomery is hoping to reduce some of the county’s legal costs. Arpaio was convicted of contempt of court for refusing to stop the racially-based immigration patrols.
A pardon by President Trump spared the former sheriff from a possible jail sentence.
