Sheriff Joe Arpaio makes overt threats to protect buddy Andrew Thomas in Arizona ethics probe

"This letter is intended to advise you that I do not consent to you revealing any information provided to you by my office, regardless of any personal incentive to breach the attorney-client privilege. "Be advised that should you disclose any information that could harm any pending criminal investigations, I will consider charging you with violations of applicable statutes." Sheriff Joe Arpaio interfering with ethics investigation

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe “Payoso” Arpaio, already eager for SB-1070 to give him some legitimacy in his campaign against Mexicans in his county, is now knee deep in controversy over his involvement in another ethics investigation.

The ARIZONA REPUBLIC reports:

Sheriff Joe Arpaio has sent letters to current and former attorneys in the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office warning them to watch their words if they speak to investigators looking into possible unethical conduct by former County Attorney Andrew Thomas.

The letter threatens the attorneys with criminal charges if they reveal “confidential” information about the sheriff’s inquiries into county Supervisors Don Stapley and Mary Rose Wilcox and Superior Court Judge Gary Donahoe.

Interim County Attorney Rick Romley responded with a letter of his own warning Arpaio that he was overstepping the authority of his office.

On May 3, Arpaio mailed letters to current and former county attorney staffers, saying,

“This letter is intended to advise you that I do not consent to you revealing any information provided to you by my office, regardless of any personal incentive to breach the attorney-client privilege.”

“Be advised that should you disclose any information that could harm any pending criminal investigations, I will consider charging you with violations of applicable statutes.”

As for the threat to file criminal charges against anyone who testifies to the Bar, Romley wrote, “This threat is not only inappropriate but is a clear abuse of your authority as sheriff of Maricopa County. Thereby, I shall be forwarding your letter” to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office.

Mr Romley. Hang the bastard!!!

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