Maricopa County earmarks $1M for payouts in Arpaio lawsuit
Maricopa County officials have earmarked $1 million for compensation to people who were illegally detained under former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, file)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, file)
PHOENIX — Maricopa County officials earmarked Wednesday $1 million for compensation to people who were illegally detained under former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to establish the fund, which was ordered by a federal judge during Arpaio’s racial profiling case.
The $1 million included an initial $500,000 that will be given to victims. More could be added if necessary.
The remaining funds were to be used to hire a third party to help the county disperse the funds and to identify and confirm victims.
The payments will range between $500 and $10,000, depending on the circumstances and how long the person was detained.
12 News reported that at least 180 victims would qualify for compensation.
People who believe they were falsely detained between Dec. 23, 2011 and May 24, 2013 must submit a claim.
Arpaio’s case has cost Maricopa County taxpayers a pretty penny. Earlier this year, it was estimated that court costs in his case would be nearly $100 million.
Arpaio was found guilty of misdemeanor contempt of court for prolonging immigration patrols for nearly a year and a half after he was ordered to stop them.
President Donald Trump pardoned Arpaio late last month, saying the former lawman spent his life protecting the public from crime and illegal immigration.
“Arpaio is now 85 years old, and after more than 50 years of admirable service to our nation, he is worthy candidate for a presidential pardon,” a White House statement said.
Related
6 people, including 4 children, injured in Mesa crash
2 very different Phoenix eateries make NYT list of best Mexican restaurants
Construction begins on Avondale Tech Center, a 700,000-square-foot industrial campus
Man hit by impaired driver after running into street while being chased following argument
14-year-old boy critically injured after being hit in Phoenix crosswalk
University of Arizona to open nation’s 1st MD medical school on tribal land
Comments
81 Comments
ORTEGA MELENDRES V. ARPAIO was a class action lawsuit filed in 2007 which had many more facts and statistics. Following trial, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) was found to have engaged in racial profiling and unlawful traffic stops of Latinos.
Following the trial over a pattern of unlawful practices by Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the MCSO during immigration sweeps and traffic stops, U.S. District Judge issued a sweeping decision finding that Arpaio and his agency had relied on racial profiling and illegal detentions to target Latinos.
October 2, 2013: U.S. District Judge issued an order mandating necessary changes by Arpaio and his agency to prevent continued misconduct and safeguard the community from future violations of their constitutional rights.
May 13, 2016: A federal court found Arpaio and his top deputies in contempt for repeatedly violating court orders to stop racially profiling Latinos as part of unlawful enforcement operations targeting immigrants. The ruling stems from the ACLU's lawsuit. The civil contempt-of-court hearings arose after Arpaio and his top deputies repeatedly flouted the court’s orders. U.S. Judge wrote in May 2016 that "the Court finds that the Defendants have engaged in multiple acts of misconduct, dishonesty, and bad faith with respect to the Plaintiff class and the protection of its rights. They have demonstrated a persistent disregard for the orders of the Court, as well as an intention to violate and manipulate the laws and policies regulating their conduct.
America's greater good. Open borders would destroy out country.
The greater good? You mean Joe's greater good.