The Justice Department says it won’t follow through on a threat to sue controversial Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio — at least not for another week.
According to a Justice Department official, things are on hold pending a meeting set for next Tuesday in Washington with Justice Department officials and lawyers for Arpaio, whose office is under investigation by the Justice Department for alleged civil rights violations. Arpaio has become a controversial figure over what some say are overly aggressive tactics to fight illegal immigration in Arizona.
In a letter dated Aug. 3, the head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Tom Perez, accused Arpaio of failing to cooperate with the department’s investigation, warning that, “Absent [your office's] voluntary cooperation with this investigation within two weeks — by August 17, 2010 — the Department will file a Title VI civil action to compel access to the requested documents, facilities, and personnel.”
Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, law enforcement programs receiving federal assistance cannot discriminate on the basis of race or national origin, and those in charge of the programs promise to operate in accordance with all requirements.
Meanwhile, a grand jury in Phoenix is looking into separate matters related to Arpaio’s tenure as sheriff.
