The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona is facing backlash after an expert report revealed that millions of dollars meant for compliance in a racial profiling case were spent on unrelated items and projects. The funds were originally designated to help reform the agency after a landmark 2013 ruling against Joe Arpaio’s discriminatory immigration patrols. The findings have sparked renewed questions over accountability, oversight, and integrity within the sheriff’s department.
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Millions Misused in Compliance Funds
A report released Wednesday revealed that the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office diverted millions of dollars earmarked for court-ordered compliance efforts to unrelated expenses. Budget analysts found that $2.8 million went toward surplus body-worn camera licenses not required by the court, $1.5 million was used for office renovations, and more than $1.3 million purchased 42 vehicles. The report even cited an $11,000 golf cart used to shuttle staff between buildings, despite the department already leasing parking space near its internal affairs office.
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Court-Ordered Oversight and Background
The misuse of funds stems from a 2013 federal court ruling that found former sheriff Joe Arpaio’s traffic patrols unconstitutionally targeted Latino drivers. The court ordered a sweeping overhaul of the agency’s operations and internal affairs. Since then, Maricopa County taxpayers have spent over $323 million on reforms, monitoring, and legal fees. The amount is projected to climb to $352 million by mid-2026, making it one of the costliest compliance efforts in local law enforcement history.
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Alarming Audit Findings
The report, commissioned by analysts working with the court-appointed monitor, concluded that roughly 72% of the $226 million spent between 2014 and 2024 was “wrongly attributed or improperly prorated” to compliance. Analysts reviewed hundreds of personnel records and found that 70% of employees funded through compliance money were either misclassified or unrelated to reform work. The report accused the sheriff’s office and county leaders of “purposeful misrepresentation” and failing to properly justify expenses.
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Sheriff’s Office Responds
Sheriff Jerry Sheridan, who assumed office earlier this year, said his legal team is reviewing the findings. “Our attorneys are reviewing the report to identify areas of common concern and any findings we may dispute,” Sheridan said in a statement. He is the fourth sheriff to inherit the fallout from the profiling case, which has spanned more than a decade and multiple administrations. Sheridan’s office emphasized its commitment to transparency while acknowledging ongoing challenges in reaching full compliance.
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Community Reaction and Accountability Calls
Raul Piña, a longtime member of the community advisory board tasked with rebuilding trust in the sheriff’s department, said the revelations damage the agency’s credibility. “You will have to double-check now whenever the agency talks about statistics,” Piña remarked. Community advocates say the spending scandal undermines years of efforts to restore public faith after the racial profiling verdict and could delay the department’s path to compliance even further.
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County Leadership Under Scrutiny
The report did not spare Maricopa County’s governing board, criticizing it for inadequate oversight. Board chairman Thomas Galvin, a vocal critic of the prolonged federal supervision, said the county’s legal counsel is reviewing the findings. “The board has confidence in MCSO’s budgeting team and will respond accordingly,” Galvin said. Despite repeated concerns over ballooning costs, county officials have continued to approve compliance budgets with limited transparency measures.
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Persistent Racial Disparities and Monitoring Costs
Even as the department claims progress, studies have continued to show disproportionate traffic stop patterns involving Hispanic and Black drivers. Although recent data suggest some improvements, the agency remains under federal monitoring. More than $30 million has been paid to court-appointed monitors since 2014. Critics argue that the department’s ongoing compliance failures and financial mismanagement prove that the court’s supervision remains necessary despite calls to end it.