State and county election officials are investigating television ads by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio that target Rick Romley and Tom Horne, both of whom are running against the sheriff’s political allies in separate races.

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.

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.