Criminal Investigations

Sheriff Investigating One of His Own for Racial Profiling?

Arizona Supreme Court Declines Andrew Thomas' Request to Halt State Bar Probe

ARIZONA'S OWN J. EDGAR HOOVER

RUBEN ORTEGA USED THE PHOENIX POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PURSUE HIS PERSONAL AGENDA-AND HIS POLITICAL FOES

FEDS PROBE SYMINGTON FIRMA GRAND JURY INVESTIGATES THE GOVERNOR'S DEVELOPMENT COMPANY AND ITS NUMEROUS FAILED REAL ESTATE DEALS

RUBEN ORTEGA USED THE PHOENIX POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PURSUE HIS PERSONAL AGENDA-AND HIS POLITICAL FOES

ABUSE OF PROCESSA JUDGE THROWS OUT ELDERLY ABUSE CHARGES, SLAPPING DOWN THE AG'S OFFICE FOR A "DRASTIC MISTAKE"

RUBEN ORTEGA USED THE PHOENIX POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PURSUE HIS PERSONAL AGENDA-AND HIS POLITICAL FOES

POLICE PROBE PLANNING PANEL

A VILLAGE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBER IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. HE ALSO HAPPENED TO OPPOSE A COUNCILMEMBER'S PET DEVELOPMENT.

Death of a Witness

Although a probable key witness dies in an alcohol-related accident, the feds still have a strong case against Governor Symington

Fife's History

It took years, and some luck, to unravel Symington's web of deceit

Jailhouse Blues

State prison guard investigated for sexual misconduct

The Eternal Flame Part 2

Three decades ago, an unsolved murder case and arson fire scarred Lori Romaneck for life. Since 1993, she's been fighting a bureaucratic backdraft to set the record straight.

Enemies List

Arpaio haters, perceived and otherwise, beware! Looks like Joe's up to his old tricks

California Schemin'

The national press takes note as a major lawsuit is filed in the "Rent-a-Patient" scam

Eyes Wide Shut

From Governor Janet Napolitano down, Arizona authorities have protected polygamous sexual predators with their indifference

Polygamy Puzzle

Furor over mysterious memo masks difficulties in prosecuting illegal acts

Die Hard

Did former beauty queen CeCe Doane conspire to murder her husband with Viagra? The county attorney is investigating.

Flashes

Did former beauty queen CeCe Doane conspire to murder her husband with Viagra? The county attorney is investigating.

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

Family says teen was disoriented and suicidal three days before death at Boys Ranch

Things Get Nasty in the Phoenix Police Department’s Homicide Bureau

Family says teen was disoriented and suicidal three days before death at Boys Ranch

Thank You, Karl Rove -- The Truth Behind DOJ's Renzi Leaks

Paul Charlton​Poor Paul Charlton.There's new news in the ongoing probe of the Bush adminstration's meddling with U.S. Attorneys, including the Phoenix-based Charlton, who was ultimately forced to resign by the very administration that appointed him. As the Republic's Dennis Wagner reported today, ... More >>

Thomas Ticked That Stapley Benefits in Criminal Case From Law He Failed to Properly Pass

​ It was a given that Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas was going to be miffed by the recent ruling on Don Stapley's case by Superior Court Judge Kenneth Fields. Thomas has been saying for months that Fields is biased against him and he tried to get the judge kicked off the case. Fields ... More >>

Time Bomb: A '70s Cop Killing Investigation Leads to a Chicago Law Professor Who Helped Launch Barack Obama's Political Career

​ It was a given that Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas was going to be miffed by the recent ruling on Don Stapley's case by Superior Court Judge Kenneth Fields. Thomas has been saying for months that Fields is biased against him and he tried to get the judge kicked off the case. Fields ... More >>

Arpaio Investigating Governor Jan Brewer, Source Says; Guv's Campaign Manager Also Under Scrutiny

Image: Ray Stern​Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's criminal investigation into potential misdeeds by county leaders includes Governor Jan Brewer, a source close to the investigation tells New Times.The source, who did not want to want to be identified, did not want to elaborate on the subject o ... More >>

Bomb Threat Clears Superior Court's East Wing; Rumor Mill Churning Over Possibility of Link to Sheriff

A phoned-in bomb threat this morning at the Maricopa County Superior Court had some folks wondering about a possible tie to negative news about Sheriff Joe Arpaio. An earlier bomb threat at the court last month followed the jailing of Adam Stoddard, the detention officer Sheriff Arpaio claimed ... More >>

Cold Case Files: Phoenix Police Have Suspect in 15-Year-Old Murder Case

www.creativealleyproductions.com​The Phoenix Police Department announced today that it's won an indictment for a suspect in a murder/sexual assault that happened in 1994.Who doesn't love a good cold-case file.On October 21, 1994, 35-year-old Eric Harmon was found murdered and sexually assaul ... More >>

California Man Arrested in 1982 Murder of Woman Whose Head Was Found Floating Down Arizona Side of Colorado River

San Bernadino County Sheriff's Office Jimmy Joe Cox​After an eight-year cold case investigation, police in California think they've got the man responsible for murdering a woman nearly 30 years ago and putting her dismembered head in the Colorado River.Jimmy Joe Cox, now 71, was arrested ye ... More >>

Andy Kunasek Releases One Page From Transcript of Talk With Lisa Aubuchon Related to Alleged

  County Supervisor Andy Kunasek accuses deputy county attorney Lisa Aubuchon, (above), of offering to resolve a trumped-up investigation in return for a political favor. ​Andy Kunasek released one page of a transcript to New Times today that he believes shows the attemp ... More >>

Rick Romley Spanks Paul Babeu, Hard: MCAO Will Not Pay for Entire Munnell Memo Investigation

County Attorney Rick Romley gives Sheriff Babeu a reality checkIn my Monday blog concerning just who will pay for the cost of Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu's administrative investigation into the Munnell memo alleging corruption in the command staff of the MCSO, I reported that Babeu's flack ... More >>

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu Goes on the Defensive in a Desperate Attempt to Save His and Deputy Louie Puroll's Reputations

County Attorney Rick Romley gives Sheriff Babeu a reality checkIn my Monday blog concerning just who will pay for the cost of Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu's administrative investigation into the Munnell memo alleging corruption in the command staff of the MCSO, I reported that Babeu's flack ... More >>

Atlanta Customs Agent, Devon Samuels, Thought He was Shipping Illegal Firearms to Arizona, Feds Say

​ An airport-based agent with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Atlanta, Georgia, believed he was shipping drug money and illegal guns to Mexican cartel members in Arizona, officials said Thursday. Agent Devon Samuels, 45, was among 13 people arrested today on suspi ... More >>

Representative Frank Pratt Assault Case: Person of Interest Arrested in Phoenix

Representative Frank Pratt​A person of interest has been arrested in the Christmas Day assault of State Representative Frank Pratt in Casa Grande. The possible assailant hasn't been charged in the Pratt assault -- yet -- but was arrested in Phoenix on an unrelated warrant earlier today and police ... More >>

Gabrielle Giffords Shooting Update: Congresswoman Able to Communicate With Doctors; Second Suspect Sought

Pima County Sheriff's Office Authorities are looking for this man, who they say is a "person of interest" in yesterday's shooting rampage in Tucson.​Doctors treating Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords following yesterday's shooting rampage in Tucson that left six people dead and several injur ... More >>

Gabrielle Giffords Shooting Update: Second Suspect Located and Cleared; Federal Complaint Filed Against Jared Loughner

Congresswoman Gabriel Giffords remains in critical condition following yesterday's shooting.​The second "person of interest" sought in the rampage shooting that left six people dead and several -- including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords -- injured yesterday in Tucson has been located and ... More >>

Munnell Memo Investigation Report by Pinal Sheriff Paul Babeu is Overdue

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu is still working on the investigation into allegations raised in the "Munnell Memo."​ While chatting with Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu today about border issues, we asked about his months-long investigation into allegations by Maricopa County deputy chief Fra ... More >>

Senator Scott Bundgaard Should be Charged With Assault for Freeway Fracas With Former Flame, Cops Say *UPDATED With Reponse From Bundgaard*

Senator Scott Bundgaard should be charged with assault, cops conclude.​The Phoenix Police Department has completed its investigation into the February freeway fracas between Senator Scott Bundgaard and his then-gal-pal Aubry "Heavyweight Champion of the Highway" Ballard and concluded that Bundgaar ... More >>

Sheriff Joe Arpaio Won't Make Report on Munnell Memo Public, For Now

Larry Black, one of Sheriff Arpaio's most trusted aides, is one of three people who almost certainly will be be fired based on the Munnell Memo findings, Channel 5 (KPHO-TV) reported today. ​Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio doesn't want the public to read an investigative report into the ... More >>

David Hendershott Used Position for Financial Gain, Lied to Sheriff Arpaio and Mismanaged Anti-Corruption Unit, Report Concludes

  Dave Hendershott​From what we've seen so far today, the investigative report on allegations against Dave Hendershott, Sheriff Joe Arpaio's former chief deputy, can be summed up with a cliche: Hendershott lied, cheated, and stole. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office ... More >>

Joe Arpaio Deputy Accused of Human Smuggling Served on Anti-Human-Smuggling Task Force; Detention Officer Pregnant With Cartel "Kingpin's" Baby

MCSO Sylvia Najera (L), Marcella Hernandez (C), Alfredo Navarette (R) ​The arrests of three Maricopa County Sheriff's  deputies is even juicier than imagined. One, a detention officer, is the baby-mama of a cartel "kingpin" and another is a former member of the sheriff's anti-huma ... More >>

The Feds Have Evidence That Joe Arpaio Broke the Law -- When Will The Indictments Come?

MCSO Sylvia Najera (L), Marcella Hernandez (C), Alfredo Navarette (R) ​The arrests of three Maricopa County Sheriff's  deputies is even juicier than imagined. One, a detention officer, is the baby-mama of a cartel "kingpin" and another is a former member of the sheriff's anti-huma ... More >>

Four Arizona Prison Inmates Die in Four Days; One Suspected to Be Homicide

​Emergency medical responders at Arizona prisons have had a busy week -- four inmates have died while in Arizona Department of Corrections custody in four days.One of the deaths, DOC spokesman Barrett Marson tells New Times, is a suspected homicide.Marson says the other three deaths are currently ... More >>

MCSO Infiltration by Mexican Drug Cartel Apparently a Touchy Subject for Joe Arpaio

Kholood Eid This is the face Joe Arpaio makes when you ask him about Mexican drug cartels infiltrating his office.​Don't mention how the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office was infiltrated by a Mexican drug cartel to Sheriff Joe Arpaio -- unless, of course, you want to watch him hijack a press ... More >>

Morning Poll: Should Law Enforcement Agencies Be Comfortable Working With Joe Arpaio?

Even a janitor at a slime factory would be cautious when joining forces with Joe Arpaio.​Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio took great offense yesterday to our asking other heads of local law enforcement agencies whether they feel comfortable working with America's self-proclaimed "toughest sherif ... More >>

Joel Fox Portion of Babeu Report to Remain Under Wraps Until Disciplinary Process Complete, Judge Rules

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office can keep large portions of the Babeu report hidden until Captain Joel Fox's disciplinary process is complete, a judge told the Arizona Republic and Channel 12 News (KPNX) today.The newspaper and TV station had sued the MCSO to force an immediate and complete disc ... More >>

Drama Queens

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office can keep large portions of the Babeu report hidden until Captain Joel Fox's disciplinary process is complete, a judge told the Arizona Republic and Channel 12 News (KPNX) today.The newspaper and TV station had sued the MCSO to force an immediate and complete disc ... More >>

Andrew Thomas and Lisa Aubuchon's Defense in Disbarment Hearing Looks Weak in Opening Statements

Image: Ray SternAndrew Thomas wasn't at today's State Bar disciplinary hearing -- which was probably a good thing for his ego.​ Did a cabal of county supervisors, judges, lawyers and others work together to block legit police investigations into allegations of public corruption?Or did a poli ... More >>

Full Munnell Memo Investigation Report Must be Released by Sheriff Arpaio's Office Within Two Weeks, Judge Orders

Joel Fox​The entire report from this year's high-profile investigation into abuses under Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio must be released within two weeks, a judge has ordered.In May, Arpaio's office released about two-thirds of a report and supplemental documents from an internal investigation ... More >>

Mexican Smugglers Exploit the Corrupt Reputation of U.S. Border Officers

Joel Fox​The entire report from this year's high-profile investigation into abuses under Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio must be released within two weeks, a judge has ordered.In May, Arpaio's office released about two-thirds of a report and supplemental documents from an internal investigation ... More >>

Jerice Hunter Attorney: Timing of Hunter's Arrest "Real Fishy;" Says Community's Heart Should Be With Hunter

www.KPHO.comJerice Hunter's attorney, Scott Maasen.​As we reported yesterday, Jerice Hunter, the Glendale mom eyed in the disappearance of her missing 5-year-old daughter, Jhessye Shockley, has hired an attorney after getting thrown in jail -- and then released without charges being filed against ... More >>

Joe Arpaio (Unintentionally) Holds Second Press Conference About Botched Sex Crime Investigations. Won't Resign, Claims Other Agencies Have Way Worse Problems

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's back in the hot seat as two more lawmakers call for his resignation.​Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio seems to think Democratic politicians are using his office's bungling of more than 400 sex crime investigations as a reason to call for his resignation -- no ... More >>

Evidence Shows SCA Funds Were Illegally Earmarked Campaign Contributions, Investigation Revealed; Feds Still Working Case

Image: Court video Dave Hendershott, seen hear testifying in the disciplinary hearing for former County Attorney Andrew Thomas, was very evasive when interviewed by investigators about the SCA scandal.​The evidence shows that Sheriff Joe Arpaio's top men ran an illegal campaign-financ ... More >>