Thread: County considers firing Sheriff Joe Arpaio's legal advisers

Maricopa County considers firing Sheriff Joe Arpaio's legal advisers

Yvonne Wingett -
Sept. 21, 2010 02:40 PM

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday will consider whether to fire a law firm that has represented Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his office on many high-profile lawsuits against the Supervisors.

In a draft document obtained by The Arizona Republic, county officials express concern that Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C., may have engaged in conduct unacceptable to the county. The law firm called the concerns unfounded and untrue.

It is unclear how the five Supervisors will vote, but given their recent voting history on issues involving the Sheriff's Office, it is possible a majority could vote to terminate Ogletree as a vendor.

That possibility is further fueled by allegations made last week by Deputy Chief Frank Munnell that Arpaio's chief deputy engaged in misconduct, mismanagement, and possible criminal activities.

Last Friday, meanwhile, Ogletree, Deakins said that it would represent the Sheriff's Office in a recent lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. That lawsuit seeks documents related to Sheriff's Office arrests and to department procedures, as well as access to jails and staff, as part of a civil rights investigation into the office.

Ogletree, Deakins attorney Eric Dowell said the county's allegations of misconduct are untrue, and are part of an effort to fire lawyers who worked for Arpaio and former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas.

"This is slanderous and defamatory, per se, and none of it is true whatsoever," Dowell told The Republic. "It's just another effort to terminate every one of the sheriff's and former county attorney's lawyers, and to try to defame them. You take a position adverse to the board, they try to defame you, and cast aspersions."

Dowell said everything his office has done has been approved by the county: "They've paid our invoices, they've reviewed our invoices, and no one has ever said anything about there being overbilling."

Dowell said he expects to file "a very large notice of claim," against the county, the first step towards filing a lawsuit against a government.

The Sheriff's Office declined comment pending a meeting Tuesday afternoon between its top budget officials and the county Office of Management and Budget.

Arpaio and Supervisors for years have been embroiled in lawsuits and political battles over money, computer systems, and control over the selection of attorneys and operation of the county inmate health care department.

Those battles, and others, have cost the public at least $5.6 million over the past two years, according to a recent Republic analysis of public records.

Most of that expense was for attorneys, including Ogletree, Deakins, which has represented the Sheriff's Office for at least two years on a number of cases.

In the fiscal year ended June 30, the firm was paid $3.8 million, according to figures provided by the county.

Asked about Ogletree, Deakins, interim Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley responded, "There are some concerns that I do have. My office is reviewing all of the different cases the firm is involved in."

Romley declined to answer other questions. A top county official, in a draft document obtained by The Republic, alleges that Ogletree may have:

• Improperly expanded the scope of assignments, leading to the duplication of legal services and billing.

• Refused to stop working cases in certain matters even though the County Attorney's Office told Ogletree to stop, resulting in unnecessary cost.

• Represented county officials on terms inconsistent with the county's legal-services contract.

• Excessively subcontracted with attorneys, possibly to get around the county's procurement code.

• Acted antagonistically and unprofessionally.

• Promised to pay an expert $1,500 a month, regardless of whether the expert provided any legal services.

• Lacked transparency in billings and did not comply with county policies.

• Advised or allowed the Sheriff's Office, according to Munnell's memo, to refuse to turn over public records sought by a Board of Supervisors subpoena, despite knowledge that no legal basis existed for that action.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/ ... z10CqTsOIr

why in hell are they going to Firing joe they should do the job he is doing they can not do it why more cop should like Him come to NYC & see . or any other city In ny Or PA My friends said it bad In Wilkes Barra .& Pittston . he Is doing avery good job he don't take any one //// that why I want him for President he hear the V of the American he is for our Country .
Thank you joe & Thank you ALI_PAC for the news

They aren't firing Sheriff joe. They MIGHT fire a law firm.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday will consider whether to fire a law firm that has represented Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.