A judge gave the federal monitor of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office certain powers over internal affairs after a case backlog ballooned under former Sheriff Paul Penzone.
Now, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Judge Murray Snow’s order in a long-running and costly racial profiling case.
Snow’s order to reform internal investigations predated Penzone. But a major case backlog led to Penzone being found in civil contempt. Snow also then sent the federal monitor already watching the Sheriff's Office to supervise ending the backlog and make other changes.
In denying an appeal by the sheriff, a Ninth Circuit panel writes that it “relates to a matter with which we are all too familiar.”
The case filed when Joe Arpaio was sheriff turns 17 later this year. The bill for taxpayers is expected to reach $314 million next year.
The Sheriff’s Office says they are reviewing the opinion.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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