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 tells us.
The lawyers for the SCA contributors, Grant Woods and Dennis Wilenchik, have already given a statement. As New Times columnist Sarah Fenske wrote in a July 14 blog post:
In the statement, Woods and Wilenchik claim that their clients had "no idea" how the SCA (Sheriff's Command Association) was planning to spend their donations. "They have all contributed money to help the image of their members from time to time as they do their difficult jobs," the statement claims. "They had no knowledge of how the money was being spent and, other than those employed by MCSO, our clients never had any dealings with Joel Fox."
As we know now, though, at least one of the contributors seemed to know how he wanted the money spent. The $25,000 check from Alaska businessman Tom Gimple had "Vote for Sheriff Joe Arpaio" written in the notation field.
We find it hard to believe Hendershott also didn't know how he wanted his money spent. We question why he'd let a subordinate handle all aspects of his $50 a week direct-deposit contribution. We wonder whether Hendershott had discussions with other SCA donors and what they talked about.
We've got a ton of questions for Hendershott about this SCA case. But as sticky as the computer-seizure case may be, the chief deputy's reticence about the SCA seems to suggest it's an even bigger quagmire.
