Sheriff Arpaio Blasts DOJ Over Lawsuit

It was always highly unlikely Maricopa County Sherriff Joe Arpaio was going down without a fight. The prickly Arpaio lambasted the Department of Justice for filing a civil lawsuit against him, calling it a political move and a witch hunt. The DOJ released a report in December stating that Arpaio had violated the civil rights of Latinos in his jurisdiction by racially profiling them and unlawfully detaining them during raids. Federal officials tried to negotiate a settlement with Arpaio, but the talks fizzled after he refused to accept an independent monitor.