ACLU Files Lawsuit Against MCSO

Updated: Monday, 01 Jun 2009, 7:46 AM MDT
Published : Monday, 01 Jun 2009, 7:46 AM MDT

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been on the American Civil Liberties Union's bad side before, but usually their anger had to do with illegal immigration. This time, it's over a man the Sheriff fired!

A former jail detention officer claims the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office forced him to shave his beard in order to keep his job.

The man is Muslim and says shaving would have gone against his religious beliefs.

He was fired in July.

The A.C.L.U. is suing the Sheriff's office for religious discrimination. The lawsuit says MCSO made him shave the beard so an emergency device could fit on his face.