PHOENIX (AP) — The sheriff's office for metro Phoenix has come under fire for spending millions budgeted for compliance costs related to a racial profiling case involving Joe Arpaio’s immigration crackdowns on expenditures that are not aligned with court orders, according to a newly released expert report.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office's financial practices were criticized for allocating compliance funds towards personnel costs and other tasks, leading to the misappropriation of resources that were neither relevant to the mandated overhaul nor justifiable.
Among the inappropriate expenditures were $2.8 million on surplus body-worn camera licenses beyond court stipulations, $1.5 million in renovations for relocating an internal affairs office, over $1.3 million for purchasing 42 new vehicles, and an $11,000 golf cart intended for internal transport, despite leasing parking at the operation location.
The financial implications of this case have been significant, burdening Maricopa County taxpayers with a staggering $323 million to address constitutional violations stemming from a 2013 profiling verdict concerning traffic patrols by then-Sheriff Arpaio that targeted immigrants.
County records show the total expenses are projected to reach $352 million by July 2026, with ongoing costs related to legal expenditures, monitoring staff, and compliance costs.
Concerns raised by a federal judge over transparency in sheriff's office spending prompted the review that resulted in this damning report, compiled by budget analysts assigned by the case’s monitor.
The report found that 72% of the $226 million spent by the sheriff’s office from February 2014 to September 2024 was either misattributed or “improperly prorated” towards compliance funds. Analysts found that around 70% of positions funded by such money were incorrectly assigned or poorly related to compliance requirements.
Sheriff Jerry Sheridan's office has stated it is reviewing the findings and will identify any claimed discrepancies. Sheridan, who took office recently, is the fourth sheriff to deal with the consequences of this long-standing case.
Raul Piña, a community advisory board member, expressed that the report ignites broader discussions about the integrity and reliability of the sheriff’s office statistics.
The Maricopa County government has intensified its scrutiny of the sheriff’s department spending, arguing that the agency remains under court supervision too long and has incurred unmanageable costs, including around $30 million for oversight since 2014.
Among the critical issues drawing attention is the lack of adequate oversight from county leadership over the sheriff's office finances.
Thomas Galvin, chairman of the county’s governing board, has said that the board’s legal counsel is currently reviewing the report, emphasizing confidence in the sheriff’s office budgeting team.
Although the sheriff’s office has faced scrutiny for discriminatory practices towards Hispanic and Black drivers, recent studies suggest some improvements have been noted. However, the agency is still combating a backlog of internal affairs cases and has yet to reach full compliance with the mandated reforms.
