Thread: Supervisors stall on illegal-immigration funds for Arpaio

Supervisors stall on illegal-immigration funds for Arpaio
58 comments
by Yvonne Wingett and JJ Hensley - Aug. 18, 2010 11:45 AM
The Arizona Republic
.

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors withheld an item from its Wednesday agenda to accept $1.6 million in immigration funding from the state that would help pay for Sheriff Joe Arpaio's immigration enforcement efforts.

The board will consider the matter at its Sept. 1 meeting.

The Supervisors decided not to hear the item Wednesday amid concerns over financial accountability within the Sheriff's Office.

"It's prudent we held this up. Because of his lack of financial accountability I felt very uncomfortable approving this," said Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox. She acknowledged that she does not support the item because philosophically, "I'll never agree with his immigration policies."

Arpaio's office accused the Board of malice.

Lisa Allen, spokeswoman for Arpaio, said, "We think they are acting maliciously by suspending this $1.6 million of essentially free money. This is just shy of outright extortion.

"They want him beholden to their wishes, and that is not in the best interests of the citizens of this county," Allen said.

The Supervisors also pulled an item that would have had the board certify a letter to the federal government related to federal funds. The letter is sent each year to affirm that county officials are complying with all federal requirements. The board held off on considering the item amid concerns that some federal funds may be jeopardized because of the Sheriff's Office's refusal to cooperate with the U.S. Justice Department on a civil rights inquiry.

"We just need more time to make sure we are, indeed, in compliance, before we tell them we are in compliance," said county spokeswoman Cari Gerchick. "It's not that they're voting 'No,' it's just that they need more time to consider it."

It is unclear how the Supervisors would have voted on the funds for illegal-immigration enforcement, but it is not the first time the Legislative-approved immigration funds have become a sticking point between board members and Arpaio.

Last year, supervisors initially blocked the funding from going to Arpaio's office. That decision came one month after the Justice Department announced that the Sheriff's Office was the subject of a civil-rights investigation into allegations that deputies discriminate.

One month later the Supervisors changed their minds and approved the funding with a 3-1 vote.

In 2008, former Gov. Janet Napolitano stripped Arpaio of the $1.6 million and redirected it to a fugitive task force. Republican legislative leadership gave the money back to Arpaio in a budget package in early 2009.

http://oneoldvet.com/

www.azcentral.com

like no money has stopped him before.

i cant help but laugh at Mary Rose Wilcox because she supports the illegals and at one time even sent out information to her side on her office stantionary. which apparently is a no no