Arpaio, Pearce denounce DOJ suit against sheriff

PHOENIX -- Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the architect of Arizona's controversial immigration law say the Justice Department's suit against the sheriff is harassment.

Arpaio and State Sen. Russell Pearce held a news conference outside the sheriff's downtown Phoenix office Thursday, hours after the federal agency announced it was suing Arpaio for failing to turn over documents demanded in a civil rights investigation.

The Justice Department is investigating allegations that Arpaio and his office have discriminated against Hispanics in what the sheriff calls crime suppression sweeps. Critics say the sweeps are aimed at illegal immigrants and amount to racial profiling.

Arpaio said he has fully cooperated with the feds, and, "I'm very confident that my deputies do not racial profile."

A small group of people opposed to Arpaio's policies and SB1070, the immigration law, also gathered outside the sheriff's office.

One, Diane Ovalle, said the opposition is "slowly, slowly beginning to show some form of progress. But, again, it's long overdue."

She said as long as Arpaio is sheriff, he will use racial tactics.

Arpaio said he was surprised by the suit.

"It's sad. We just met with these people in Washington. We wrote letters. They have hundreds and thousands of our reports, hundreds and thousands. We thought we were getting along fine. Then I heard they are suing for the documents. What is this?"

Arpaio continued, "It's very interesting this lawsuit came down against me, when they really don't have anything. Just after they sued the governor (over SB1070, the immigration law). I don't know if that's a coincidence. Why didn't they sue me in the last year and a half? Why now?"

According to the Justice Department, Arpaio has balked at handing over the requested documents for 15 months. DOJ said the sheriff's actions are "unprecedented."

Pearce supported Arpaio, saying, "Everybody knows this is a witch hunt. The sheriff has cooperated, as far a I understand."

Pearce said the Obama Administration is trying to divert attention from claims that the federal government is refusing to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

"This administration's out of control," Pearce said. "This is an administration that has sued Arizona for enforcing its laws, the law of the land, been the law for 50 years."

With a huge mid-term election two months away, Pearce said he doesn't expect the feds to let up on Arizona.

"This is a game, a year and a half they've been here (in Arizona), following us around. Thousands of reporters (are here). They've found no fault yet, they continue to just allege and play the game."