Seven political activists claiming their civil rights were violated are getting nearly $475,000 from Maricopa County.
The seven were arrested and cited for protesting against Sheriff Joe Arpaio's immigration policies.
The settlement was nine times more than what the county's self- insured trust had originally authorized in February.
Memos show the money figure is significantly higher than what the county planned to offer just days before the settlement.
A county spokeswoman said the county's goal was to "minimize taxpayer exposure" and settling the case was far less expensive that going to trial.
Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy David Hendershott called the settlement a "fraud on the taxpayers." He said the county should have settled for far less or forced the activists to go to court.
Masterrogue666 posted at 10:29 am on Fri, Jul 9, 2010.
"A county spokeswoman said the county's goal was to "minimize taxpayer exposure" and settling the case was far less expensive that going to trial." -- See, they've learned from ILLEGAL ALIENS that it PAYS to be unlawful.....
hillstreet posted at 10:39 am on Fri, Jul 9, 2010.
Way to go Joe. Every time you act thinking with your gonads we taxpayers get it in the shorts.
forkedlift1 posted at 1:06 pm on Fri, Jul 9, 2010.
Ah, the self-appointed MCSO Minister of Propaganda, MR666.
Hear ye, hear ye. Despite one or more judge's rulings, the Minister and his mentor David Hendershott convince us all that 5 people applauding a speaker's comments at an open public meeting in Dec. 2008, as others had done before them at the same meeting for another speaker, is an "unlawful" action, is therefore cause for the arrest of just those 5 individuals by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, and is reason for them to be generously compensated for their "unlawful" action.
Keep trying, Mr. Minister.
SunWorshiper posted at 1:42 pm on Fri, Jul 9, 2010.
[sad] This article is rather lacking on past details that resulted in this lawsuit. It says: "The seven were arrested and cited for protesting against Sheriff Joe Arpaio's immigration policies." It also mentioned "civil rights violated."
Weren't these people arrested during a public County Board of Supv meeting? For someone that didn't follow along, the article could insinuate these were "on-the-street arrests." Was it the BOS that accepted the decision to settle for these dollar amounts? If that's the case, then maybe the spokeswoman for the County should have elaborated on how to "minimize taxpayer exposure" relates specifically to the antics of the County Board of Supervisors the past few years. Would have seemed like a more balanced article.
Oh, that's right.....The BOS and media consistently slant stories where BOS and Joe are in the same story.
forkedlift1 posted at 3:34 pm on Fri, Jul 9, 2010.
The settlement stems from the unlawful arrests and citations of protesters on Dec. 15, 2008 on the 10th floor of Maricopa County's administration building and two days later at a Board of Supervisors meeting.
The Republic today says, "County Manager David Smith said the settlement was a business decision. He estimated that going to trial on the cases could cost at least $1 million in the first six months, just to defend them.
"You'd end up going round and round, grinding up all kinds of resources and spending two to three times the amount," Smith said. "Once again, the Sheriff's Office is creating these liabilities against the county. If it's 'fraud,' it's a fraud committed by virtue of bad acts."
Rich posted at 3:37 pm on Fri, Jul 9, 2010.
Is there an award for the most expensive comic opera in history? The MCSO Follies would sure be in the running.
forkedlift1 posted at 4:46 pm on Fri, Jul 9, 2010.
You may want to read about the other BIG liability matter on the Phoenix New Times website,"Joe Arpaio, Andy Thomas Possibly Liable for Millions in Lawsuit Payouts."
It pertains to the more recent Notices of Claim submitted to the County by about four judges, two or three harassed county employees, two supervisors (Wilcox and Stapley) and the Wolfswinkel family.
Yesterday, July 8, the County's Risk Manager sent a 3-page letter to Arpaio, Hendershott, Thomas, Aubuchan (a county prosecutor), and two MCSO deputies, notifying them, essentially, that the County's insurance trust fund will not be a blank check for misconduct. The letter informs the recipients about the provisions and exclusions contained in the allowed use of that trust fund for paying claims.
"Among these exclusions are coverage for any 'loss, costs, claims, litigation expenses or other expenses' arising from violations of state or criminal codes or expenses 'arising from intentional and willing/wrongful acts.'"
(The letter can be viewed on the PNT website.)
I think THOSE Notice of Claims, also stemming from Arpaio's and Thomas' abuse of power,
amount to about $35-$40 million.
Making Arpaio, Thomas, Hendershott and Aubushon individually and financially responsible for their wrongful acts is the way to go.....instead of us taxpayers again "getting it in the shorts."
SunWorshiper posted at 5:44 pm on Fri, Jul 9, 2010.
I did read elsewhere if this "settlement" had gone to court, it would have opened up MCSO to once again ask Don Stapley and Mary Rose Wilcox of things in their past they are so unwilling to bring to the open for taxpayers.
Tell me again who made the settlement agreement? Was it the BOS? Next thing you know, we'll be hearing and re-hearing about these quick settlements again and again in other proceedings in the pipes. But will probably never be able to hear the Don/Mary Rose stories. [sad]
samkat posted at 6:15 pm on Fri, Jul 9, 2010.
fork: I wouldn't read the New Times rag on a bet. I suspect that even Porky Pig would come under criticism from you and your fellow complainers but then I suppose that is why we have a democracy at least until the democrats finish stifling free speech. Of curse, that will impact you as well since hey draw no lines on dissent.
Masterrogue666 posted at 7:54 pm on Fri, Jul 9, 2010.
What's the matter forkedlift, the truth hurt too much?[beam]
Masterrogue666 posted at 8:08 pm on Fri, Jul 9, 2010.
Forkedlift: Your comment isn't quite accurate. But I'll let the other readers decide.
The group in question had received a warning from the board. Both MCSO and county security agents were involved in the arrests. It seems the board wanted them arrested. MCSO was following orders. I know, it's a hard concept for you to grasp....
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/us/18arizona.html
forkedlift1 posted at 3:40 am on Sat, Jul 10, 2010.
SunWorshiper,
You "did read somewhere…."? Do you recall where you read this?
I think what you meant to say is, "If these (not this) cases (not settlement) had gone to trial (not court), it would have opened up MCSO to once again ask Don Stapley and Mary Rose Wilcox of things in their past they are so unwilling to bring to the open for taxpayers."
Whatever are you alleging and inferring?
First, the bogus case against Wilcox by the MCSO & MCAO was dismissed by the court with some acid words by the judge against those two agencies for their wrongful actions being a part of the judge's ruling.
Secondly, the "case" against Stapley, without a prosecutor even having been consulted or lined up prior to Stapley's surprise arrest by MCSO in the parking garage, was withdrawn by County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
There is no case pending against Wilcox or Stapley, and if anything the County's settlement of these cases brought by these seven plaintiffs saved Hendershott, Arpaio and Thomas more exposure of their egregious wrongdoing.
By NOT going to trial, it was Hendershott and Arpaio who were spared more grief and a rehash of the Superior Court judge's strongly worded ruling on behalf of the plaintiffs and against MCSO. They were spared a replay of the Orwellian video tapes of the BofS meeting wherein the plaintiffs displayed no misconduct, but were forcibly removed from the meeting, told by the deputy they could not speak to the board as scheduled, handcuffed, hauled to jail, strip searched, and were jailed for the night.
Had their cases gone to trial, you can be certain that chief deputy Hendershott would be forced to testify about the MCSO misconduct, and dishonest bluster and bluff don't get very far in a courtroom when the video-taped evidence is staring him in the face. The County has already had to pay the plaintiffs' attorneys fees once, and lord only knows what they would run in this civil action. (We don't know how much of their settlements are reduced from having to pay their own attorneys fees.)
You sound very anxious to dig up dirt on Stapley and Wilcox. I suggest If you've got something of substance, not malicious gossip, bring your info to the authorities. If not, lay it to rest.
Oh, an eighth plaintiff in this matter, lawyer Randy Parraz, who had filed a $500,000 claim, opted not to settle with the others, withdrew from mediation, says he has a lawsuit that's ready to be filed, but that they're still engaged, still talking.
If interested, you can view the videotapes of that abominable and unbelievable Dec. 2008 BofS public meeting by Googling for the information. Also, here's some additional information surrounding that incident
http://www.janabommersbach.com/phx-mag-may10.php
retired03 posted at 4:46 am on Sat, Jul 10, 2010.
...And the circus continous with the head clowns (arpaio and hendershott) presiding.
Masterrogue666 posted at 7:44 pm on Sat, Jul 10, 2010.
Forked: The "dirt" on Wilcox is a fact. She received over $170 K in "loans" from a non-profit organization, then later voted to award funds to the same organization. If she had any professional etiquette, she would not have voted, but abstained, at the very least.
But, since you have no problem ignoring the law(s) ILLEGAL ALIENS break, I guess it's easy for you to ignore what she's done as well...
forkedlift1 posted at 1:47 am on Sun, Jul 11, 2010.
Circus is right. I certainly hope they will ultimately be having to pay out of pocket for their undesired performances and acts.
straightshooter posted at 9:38 pm on Mon, Jul 26, 2010.
weak knock kneed federal gov. is the root problem here. this waste wouldn't have even happened if they would enforce their own laws! but it's becoming so much clearer they have an agenda to the Contrary.
they want increase tension to a breaking point of the lawabididing U.S. citizen. don't fall for this administrations tricks.
although these "paracites" took even more $ from the taxpayer, in reality this hardline stand taken is for the better.
it's so telling when the "tolerant" (as they like to think of themself), can be SO "INtolerant"
i'm proud of people like joe and anyone who takes the tough stand he does.
i don't live in az., but am proud of the stand they are taking on ab 1070
GO ARIZONA!!! show the rest of the U.S. before we self destruct.
[sad]