Maricopa County feuds costing taxpayers $28M
Published: June 19, 2012 at 12:36 pm
Legal infighting among Maricopa County officials in recent years has cost taxpayers at least $28 million, a figure that will likely grow.
An analysis conducted by The Arizona Republic shows the county has utilized millions of dollars to defend itself and its employees during politically charged investigations and legal cases since 2008.
The data was gathered from records of payments by the county trust fund and the offices of sheriff and county attorney between 2008 through April of this year.
The rising tab also stems from Maricopa County needing outside counsel in cases where there is a conflict of interest for the county attorney.
Meanwhile, the county still faces several lawsuits filed by individuals claiming damages in incidents involving Sheriff Joe Arpaio and former County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
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