Complaints, threats and secret recordings have become the latest weapons of choice in the battle to become Maricopa County attorney.

Rick Romley’s GOP opponent in the Aug. 24 primary, Bill Montgomery, is dealing with criticism about a secretly recorded conversation in which he questions whether Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s mental abilities are declining and that Montgomery seems to take a softer stance on illegal immigration than he has taken publicly during his run for office.

Documents show that Maricopa County prosecutors had planned a more sweeping indictment against many county officials, including two supervisors and two judges, than the charges that were eventually filed.

Election officials are investigating a television ad by Sheriff Joe Arpaio's re-election campaign that targets interim Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley. The ad urges voters to re-elect Arpaio, who isn't up for re-election until 2012, while criticizing Romley.