Arpaio condemns suits against law enforcement agencies
May 29th, 2008 @ 11:36am
by Bob McClay/KTAR

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is siding with the city of Phoenix in its fight against a suit filed by the family of a woman who died while in police custody at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

Arpaio commented on the suit filed by Carol Gotbaum's family as he announced Wednesday that his office has prevailed in a seventh straight trial of a civil suit. The sheriff also took a swipe at attorney Michael Manning, who was involved in one of the seven suits against the sheriff and has been hired to represent Gotbaum's family in its $8 million suit against the city.

Arpaio said the city should let the case go to a jury.

``I would highly recommend they fight this case and Manning and not give in, with his garbage that he usually throws out in the news media," Arpaio said.

The sheriff said Manning has accused him of cultivating cruelty in the county jails.

``Let me tell you something, it's all horse manure, horse manure," Arpaio said.

.The sheriff said Manning is looking for ``a quick and easy payday" in the Gotbaum case.

``I want the Phoenix police to go to trial because they're going to win against this guy, Manning. No doubt about it, they will win," he said.

Phoenix officials have vowed to fight the Gotbaum wrongful death suit and not to settle out of court.

Arpaio said Manning specializes in suing law enforcement agencies to get rich and likes to gloat about his victories.

He said Manning ``brags" about taking down former Gov. Fife Symington and businessman Charles Keating, both convicted of financial crimes, and ``his big mission now is to take down the sheriff. He's got a long wait, a long wait."

The suit in which Arpaio announced victory Wednesday was a $6 million claim by a former inmate, Thomas Stewart, who accused detention officers of using excessive force against him and causing permanent injuries. A federal court jury deliberated only one hour before returning a unanimous verdict denying any payment to Stewart.

Law enforcement agencies should take all suits to trial instead of settling out of court, Arpaio said.

``County risk managers and insurance carriers who settle claims because they are afraid to fight to the bitter end do a real disservice to taxpayers," Arpaio says.









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