Sheriff's Command Association

Arpaio's "Watergate": Yellow Sheet Finds MCSO's Prints on Anti-Saban Ad Money.

Arizona Republican Party Long on Excuses, Short on Answers in Mysterious SCA Donation

The Bird Claws at State Democrats and Likens the GOP's SCA-gate to the Granddaddy of Political Scandals

The Bird Praises CameraFraud.com and Aerosol Art While Urging State Democrats to Grow a Pair

Secretary of State Finds "Reasonable Cause" to Believe Arizona GOP Broke the Law

By Sarah Fenske The Arizona Secretary of State has found "reasonable cause" to believe the Arizona Republican Party broke the law by accepting $105,000 in contributions from a high ranking member of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's staff. The finding came last week, according to public records obtained by New ... More >>

SCA-Gate Investigator to MCSO Commander Joel Fox: Show Us the Records

An independent law firm investigating whether a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office commander illegally funneled money to the Arizona Republican Party is demanding that the commander produce a list of donors by December 1. But, in a letter to that investigator, Commander Joel Fox (pictu ... More >>

Sheriff Joe Arpaio Claims "No Knowledge" in Dirty Donation -- Who Believes Him?

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio gave perhaps his shortest comment on record in his 16 years in office in response to a reporter's question about the massive fine levied against one of his employee's for a campaign violation: "No knowledge. No comment." Arpaio seems so unconcerned that the "Sher ... More >>

Sheriff Arpaio's Captain Joel Fox, Illegal Donation Guy, Must Request Hearing by Tuesday on $315,000 Fine

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio always has plenty of juicy stories ready for the media. He recently announced he'll start charging inmates for meals and his deputies made a couple more arrests in the case of illegal immigrants working for Golfland. But far more interesting is the way Arpaio ... More >>

Arpaio's Captain Still Won't Name "Sheriff's Command" Group Members; Launches Appeal of $315,000 Fine

Captain Joel Fox of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office wants to appeal his $315,000 fine for making an illegal donation in the name of the mysterious "Sheriff's Command Association." Fox filed a request for a hearing and informal settlement conference yesterday, New Times has learned. See bel ... More >>

Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Deputies Harass Members of Don Stapley Legal Expense Trust Fund

Members of a trust fund set up to help pay legal expenses of embattled County Supervisor Don Stapley are being systematically harassed by deputies. Mark Flatten, (one of the few remaining reporters at the gutted East Valley Tribune), broke the latest chapter in the Stapley saga this mornin ... More >>

Arpaio to March 200 Illegal Immigrants to New Tents on Same Day His Captain to Appeal Fine for Illegal Campaign Donation

We have to admit: Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is a public relations genius. On the same day that his employee and political helper, Captain Joel Fox, is set to appear at a hearing to context a massive $315,000 fine for making an illegal campaign donation in the n ... More >>

Sheriff's Captain Argues Mysterious Donors to Republican Party Not a Political Committee; Says Unnamed Donors Would "Suffer" Under Media Glare

  Captain Joel Fox of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office continued to play martyr during an administrative hearing on Wednesday, still unwilling to give up the names of the people behind a $105,000 campaign donation to the Republican Party that has been deemed illegal. Today's hear ... More >>

Captain Joel Fox Explains His Side of Donation Flap in Comments to Valley Fever Posts

For months, Captain Joel Fox of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office stayed quiet about his role in a questionable $105,000 donation to the Republican Party. Now you can't shut the guy up. Not that we'd want to: Everyone loves a good mystery, and Fox still won't tell the names of ... More >>

County: Republican Party had Negative Balance After Illegal Donation Returned; Implies Money Went to Smear Ads

The Arizona Republican Party last year returned the dirty $105,000 donated by the mysterious "Sheriff's Command Association." But in doing so, it left the party with a massive negative balance. That's because it had already spent a good chunk of the money, app ... More >>

SCA Name Mystery Solved? Sheriff's Office Director Owns Similar Domain Name

In trying to escape a $315,000 fine at an appeal hearing today, Captain Joel Fox (pictured) denied just about everything related to the political donation he made on behalf of the mysterious "SCA." Fox even denied that "SCA" stands for "Sheriff's Command Association," even t ... More >>

The Dirty on Nik Richie, Post-it Note Ninjas, and SCA-Gate — All Within This Owl’s Talons

In trying to escape a $315,000 fine at an appeal hearing today, Captain Joel Fox (pictured) denied just about everything related to the political donation he made on behalf of the mysterious "SCA." Fox even denied that "SCA" stands for "Sheriff's Command Association," even t ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, November 20, 2008

In trying to escape a $315,000 fine at an appeal hearing today, Captain Joel Fox (pictured) denied just about everything related to the political donation he made on behalf of the mysterious "SCA." Fox even denied that "SCA" stands for "Sheriff's Command Association," even t ... More >>

Captain Joel Fox of Sheriff's Office Faces Judge's Decision for "SCA" Donation to Republicans

A judge is set to decide on Monday whether a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Captain Joel Fox deserves to pay $315,000 in penalties for making an improper campaign donation. The upcoming ruling by Judge Thomas Shedden of the state Office of Administrative Hearings is expected to bring some finalit ... More >>

Where is the SCA in Joel Fox's Hour of Need?

Although the decision on Maricopa County Sheriff's Captain Joel Fox and the SCA donation is scheduled for Monday, we think it will probably be announced on Tuesday, after the holiday. Either way, we imagine there's still time for Fox to reveal the identity of these secret contributors.But if he ... More >>

Captain Joel Fox Pays $450 Fine in SCA Case; $315,000 Fine Looming for Keeping Donors' Names Secret

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Captain Joel Fox has until the end of the month to cough up information about the people behind last year's shadowy $105,000 donation to the Republican Party, says the elections department."We believe if he goes past July 1st in the timing of all this, then the $315, ... More >>

Source: FBI Interested in SCA Case Involving Joe Arpaio's Office

  Just hung up from one of our trusty "Deep Throat" sources who tells us the FBI is highly interested in the Sheriff's Command Association case. Our source says New Times articles this morning about the men behind the SCA donations were forwarded to the local FBI office. An FBI a ... More >>

Bruce Ash, Republican National Committeeman for Arizona, Won't Deny Truth of Statement About Source of Saban Smear-Ad Funds

With the SCA scandal breaking wide open last week, we figured it was time to make another call to Bruce Ash, the Republican National Committeeman for Arizona. This time we got him on the phone, and as you'll see, he helped clear up a couple of nagging questions we had about the Republican Party's ... More >>

All the Sheriff's Men: The SCA Campaign-Finance Scandal is Linked to Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Chief Deputy David Hendershott

With the SCA scandal breaking wide open last week, we figured it was time to make another call to Bruce Ash, the Republican National Committeeman for Arizona. This time we got him on the phone, and as you'll see, he helped clear up a couple of nagging questions we had about the Republican Party's ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, July 23, 2009

With the SCA scandal breaking wide open last week, we figured it was time to make another call to Bruce Ash, the Republican National Committeeman for Arizona. This time we got him on the phone, and as you'll see, he helped clear up a couple of nagging questions we had about the Republican Party's ... More >>

Blog Posts and Articles Leading up to This Week's Cover Commentary on the SCA Scandal

Five blog posts over 10 days led up to Sarah Fenske's cover analysis this week on the SCA (Sheriff's Command Association) scandal. A 2007 cover story on the smear of Arpaio opponent Dan Saban was an omen of what was to come -- state Republican Party ads further sme ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, August 6, 2009

Five blog posts over 10 days led up to Sarah Fenske's cover analysis this week on the SCA (Sheriff's Command Association) scandal. A 2007 cover story on the smear of Arpaio opponent Dan Saban was an omen of what was to come -- state Republican Party ads further sme ... More >>

Guadalupe Man Wants $750,000 After Being Run Over by Deputy; Family Members Claim Deputy Also Attacked Them

  ​A Guadalupe man claims a deputy who pulled him over for a burned-out brake light ran over him, then assaulted his family as he lay trapped and screaming beneath a squad car.  These hair-raising details are found in a notice of claim filed last week against Maricopa ... More >>

Hendershott Still Won't Talk About the SCA

​ We interviewed Maricopa County Chief Deputy Dave Hendershott (pictured) today about this computer-takeover business and his possible trip to jail next week, so naturally we asked him about his involvement in the SCA, too.He didn't bite. "You'll have to talk to the lawyers about that," he tel ... More >>

Joel Fox 'Fesses Up on SCA Name: It Really is Sheriff's Command Association

  ​It's hard to keep track of all the facts, rumors and spin-jobs in this SCA story. For instance, Captain Joel Fox claims he never "filed" nominating petitions in 2004 for his boss, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, as had been previously reported. He merely collected eight signatures ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, September 24, 2009

  ​It's hard to keep track of all the facts, rumors and spin-jobs in this SCA story. For instance, Captain Joel Fox claims he never "filed" nominating petitions in 2004 for his boss, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, as had been previously reported. He merely collected eight signatures ... More >>

Republican Party and Sheriff's Command Association Players Sued by Former Sheriff's Candidate Dan Saban

  Dan Saban​Dan Saban, former candidate for sheriff of Maricopa County, has filed a lawsuit against the Arizona Republican Party and those involved with the shady SCA, a.k.a. Sheriff's Command Association. It could be argued that the public was -- and continues to be -- damaged by the ... More >>

Joel Fox to County: Forget Criminal Investigation on SCA -- Pay Me $75,000!

  ​Captain Joel Fox of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office filed a $75,000 claim against the county last week for the "emotional distress" of being forced to divulge the names of secret donors to a political committee. Naturally, Fox isn't suing the Sheriff's Office -- just the Boa ... More >>

Serving Up Stapley: Why’s the Don Stapley Prosecution a Big Joke? Because the Accusers Are Far Shadier Than the Accused

  ​Captain Joel Fox of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office filed a $75,000 claim against the county last week for the "emotional distress" of being forced to divulge the names of secret donors to a political committee. Naturally, Fox isn't suing the Sheriff's Office -- just the Boa ... More >>

Thomas and Arpaio Talk Tough on County "Corruption," Deflect Questions About Their Own Credibility

Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and Sheriff Joe Arpaio vowed on Tuesday to get to the bottom of what they call a serious corruption problem among county leaders and judges. Their afternoon news conference followed the announcement earlier today that County Supervisors Don Stapley and Mary Ros ... More >>

Fishy Fundraiser: Wealthy Donors Claim Top Sheriff's Official Pitched for SCA on Alaska Trip

Back in July, Captain Joel Fox, frontman for the SCA fund, wrote the following comment on our blog: There has never been a "meeting" of SCA donors. How you figure you could get all the people on that list into one room is beyond me. I can hardly get in contact with most of them, let alone get them ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, January 14, 2010

Back in July, Captain Joel Fox, frontman for the SCA fund, wrote the following comment on our blog: There has never been a "meeting" of SCA donors. How you figure you could get all the people on that list into one room is beyond me. I can hardly get in contact with most of them, let alone get them ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, January 21, 2010

Back in July, Captain Joel Fox, frontman for the SCA fund, wrote the following comment on our blog: There has never been a "meeting" of SCA donors. How you figure you could get all the people on that list into one room is beyond me. I can hardly get in contact with most of them, let alone get them ... More >>

Terry Goddard Now Investigating Andrew Thomas in Turnabout; Thomas Calls It "Dirty Pool"

  Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard is investigating Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas. ​ After two years under a bogus investigation by Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and Sheriff Joe Arpaio, state Attorney General Terry Goddard is fighting back with his own inve ... More >>

Dan Saban, Former Candidate for Sheriff, Dumps Defamation Lawsuit Against Republican Party, Joe Arpaio and SCA

  Dan Saban has dropped his SCA-related defamation lawsuit to focus on the appeal of an earlier, failed lawsuit.​Dan Saban has dropped his lawsuit against the Republican Party, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and various players linked to the shady fund-raising club called the Sheriff's ... More >>

David Hendershott Betrayed Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Runs Corrupt Office, Top Deputy Alleges; Arpaio Runs to Buddy Babeu for Cover

Dave Hendershott's trips to Honduras -- another example of corruption, according to Deputy Chief Frank Munnell​A bombshell memo from a top Maricopa County Sheriff's official alleges Chief Deputy David Hendershott betrayed Sheriff Arpaio and ran a corrupt office through fear and intimidation.Basica ... More >>

Joe Arpaio, Will He Get the "Nogales Mayor Treatment" from Terry Goddard and the FBI?

Damn! We're in a tight spot! Where's Lisa Allen when I need her? Watching the footage of Nogales Mayor Octavio Garcia-Von Borstel and his father Octavio Garcia Suarez dragged before a judge in shackles and prison stripes after their arrests on charges of bribery, theft, fraud and mon ... More >>

Randy Pullen Out as Arizona GOP Chair

Glory days: Pullen being sworn in as chairman in 2009, after defeating Lisa Allen Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, has announced via Twitter that he will not seek reelection at the next state party meeting on January 22. This follows the news that Pullen had no ... More >>

Hendershott, Thomas, and Aubuchon Want $60 Million for Their Troubles? Indictments Would Suit Them Better

Glory days: Pullen being sworn in as chairman in 2009, after defeating Lisa Allen Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, has announced via Twitter that he will not seek reelection at the next state party meeting on January 22. This follows the news that Pullen had no ... More >>

Phoenix Councilwoman Peggy Neely Wants Sheriff Joe to Support Her Bid for Mayor

Councilwoman Peggy Neely ​Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has seen better days ... what with all those allegations of corruption and criminal activity in his office. And that scandal with the Sheriff's Command Association and all those politically motivated investigations against judges, county ... More >>

Two of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Top Deputies Have "Love Connection" to SCA Scandal

Councilwoman Peggy Neely ​Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has seen better days ... what with all those allegations of corruption and criminal activity in his office. And that scandal with the Sheriff's Command Association and all those politically motivated investigations against judges, county ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, April 28, 2011

Councilwoman Peggy Neely ​Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has seen better days ... what with all those allegations of corruption and criminal activity in his office. And that scandal with the Sheriff's Command Association and all those politically motivated investigations against judges, county ... 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 >>

Dennis Burke Won't Prosecute Sheriff Arpaio or His Employees Over "Exorbitant" Extradition Costs

​ Extraditions performed by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office were "inexplicably exorbitant" but not a criminal misuse of public funds, U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke has decided. At the request of County Manager David Smith (see below), Burke's office conducted a review of how Sheri ... 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 >>

Joel Fox Case vs. Cox Communications Can Proceed, Judge Rules; "Zorro" E-Mails Shouldn't Have Been Released, Says Former Sheriff's Captain

Joel Fox ​Well, what do you know -- Joel Fox finally has achieved the equivalent of a base hit in a court case. A federal judge ruled recently that a lawsuit against Cox Communications by the disgraced former captain fired by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio can proceed, for no ... More >>