Arpaio's Office Loses Again in Tucson Citizen Public Records Case; Must Pay Lawyer's Fees

By Ray Stern Mon., Jun. 1 2009 at 4:09 PM

Categories: News

Dennis Wilenchik

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office's refusal to turn over public records as required by the law has once again cost taxpayers.

The Arizona Supreme Court announced today it would not consider a 2007 case between the Tucson Citizen and Sheriff Joe Arpaio. That means an appeals court ruling from December, which requires the Sheriff's Office to pay more than $25,000 in legal fees, will stand.

You'd think the public would get tired of such rulings, but Arpaio's re-election in 2008 means taxpayers will be propping up the sheriff's closed-door approach to records for a few more years. (Perhaps the lost court cases are having an effect, though -- we have to admit that the office seems to be responding to records requests faster these days).

The defunct Tucson newspaper's battle with the sheriff's office began after a squabble between the Sheriff Arpaio and Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard over a criminal gambling case that included a multi-million-dollar seizure (a.k.a. payday) for the sheriff's office. For background, see the articles posted by the gambling site, www.majorwager.com. The records in question gave an insight into the workings of inter-governmental relations -- showing how ugly they could get. For instance, in a letter obtained by reporters, Dennis Wilenchik, the ethically challenged Phoenix attorney who was behind the dirty "grand jury" investigation of New Times, accuses Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall of using a "journalistic plant" to make Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas look bad.

Ironically, the sheriff's office is now attempting to play public records crusader, suing Maricopa County in a bid to force county officials to turn over public records.

Taxpayers could have saved tens of thousands of dollars if only the sheriff's office had taken on this new attitude a few years ago.

Tags:

andrew thomas, arizona, barbara lawall, county attorney, dennis wilenchik, pima county, sheriff joe arpaio, supreme court

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I watched something about this on television last night. Thanks for the more in-depth explanation
The new Carrello Black Dining Chair is surprisingly good, but not as good as Sound K's. It works well, but isn't as comfy as Carello's and has a clunkier seat. If you occasionally plan on using the chair that's not an issue, but if you're planning to sit often your rear will thank you.
Many more bad days coming for arpaio. Alison Hicks backspin
Why don't you clowns set up your own blog where you can jerk off each other without having to conform to the terms of use of this site? We'd be much happier.
Gerri! Seems you sobered up this morning! You still make no sense, but now you're using real words.
Gerri, or what ever paid crack whore has been playing Gerri tonight... You do know that your "email us with details" are kind of like the emails that claim you are an African Price and someone has won the lottery, don't you? Only an idiot would contact you that way, but you're idiots and don't see how stupid it is.
Gerri, we've decided that you can no longer live on this planet. Please arrange to have you and your personal effects moved to another planet. We will grant you 500 pounds of aluminum foil, and pay for it's transport, as we really like the hats you wear!
Ha. Coco, you're sadly mistaken. This tells me that your a mouthpiece hired by the joker in a poor attempt to distract NT readers from seeing the real truth regarding your hero over at the Wells Fargo building. For the record, I don't support "open borders" agendas(whatever that may be). Nor do I support the "La Raza"(again whatever that may be). If you beg to differ, simply post an instance where I've ever said anything(I mean anything) about supporting such "open borders" agenda. Sorry, but you just simply cannot do it. Its rather quite naive to say a common anti-arpaio voter is somehow an "open borders" activist. That's like saying an Italian is an Aryan white, and they're not. It doesn't belong. You asininely juxatapose every anti-arpaio voter into the same boat with "open borders" scums. That just goes to show everybody what a complete joke you are. You really make me laugh, seriously. I don't really see the need to debate you any further, since you're basically attacking the "open borders" folks on here, which btw, has nothing to do with me. You're just looking more and more idiotic as you continue on with your blather. So keep it up. Maybe that's why you're the only one from "Equity" posting on here. Once again, I'm just here to make you look like an idiot, for the sake of fun and games. And I had a great time doing it. Thanks.
Gerri - you're not passed out in a pool of your own vomit right now, are you? Gerri - can you hear me now?
Gerri, my poor liar, what you said is: "He comes from a working class Italian immigrant family." Mom dead, dad ran away...... Read his own book - it talks about his childhood. You're really clueless and uninformed Gerri, and starting to type like you can't see the keys. Go to bed and dream up some more nonsense... It's really funny! What videos are you talking about? You and a pony? Joe and a goat? I don't want them....
So Gerri, you probably didn't know that Arpaio's mother died in childbirth and his father then abandoned him. Not "a working class Italian immigrant family". You do like to make up stuff, don't you! I can tell by your sitcom script!
Gerri - I was saying that you keep leaving a load of crap on our doorstep. Stop it and get a real job.
There are retards on both left and right, but more of them from the right. But what is hilarious, is how this G. Coco boy actually thinks she"ll acquire the identities of all of NT blogggers. arpaio has tried this tactic before, when they arrested the editors of the New Times, yet the court found it to be unconstitutional, citing privacy laws and the Constitutional amendment. This reminds me of the retards over at the East Valley Trib 2 years ago who were all trying to figure out the mysterious identity of this "Todd Stallion" faggot. Nobody figured it out. How is this any different from that? Laughable, just laughable. But you're all very entertaining though. Despite such frivolous, hence phoney threats from Coco the nut, we will continue to remain resiliant and focused... on arpaio, of course. For arpaio needs all the negative attention he can get, so that folks worldwide, can see for what he really is, and not what his is. It takes balls and backbone to speak out against the evils of arpaio. A courage that none of you inbreeds possessed. Kudos to the New Times for being on top of arpaio and reporting it to the people. Hail Freedom!
Resa..Read the terms and conditions on any blog. The owners have a right to delete anything they want. Seems you "lawyer" should finish his GED before he gives "legal" advice. Click on "terms of use" at the bottom of this page, moron....
my lawyer who got me out of tent city says that case is very good and the other case for the wetbacks is shit, real dog poop. he is from Phoenix and knows that they paid off the judge. equity, give em hell on wheels. Look like that commie rat Stern is fuckin with the blogs agin, my lawyer says it is minipulation of media - whatever the fuck that means.
Equity, when we called, it was because you did a terrible job cleaning out our septic tank. Fix it or we'll see you in court.
Not Gilman or Emil.. Just someone with an IQ over 75, unlike you clowns! Will you be delivering your sitcom script in a short bus?
So you KNOW how the 9th circuit will rule on your sitcom script? I bet they'll find it funny.
Nice to see that the simple little minded are posting reams for funny junk! I was wrong about delusions of grandeur. They need to have delusions of mediocre!
I've read your crazy cases already gerri.. You're just silly little people with delusions of grandeur.
Gerry.. It's a shame you don't realize how nutty and juvenile you sound! You could sell this babble as a new fall sitcom! Bet you thought you were a school yard bully as a kid, and getting your lunch money taken by the 40lb weakling didn't distract you!
Nice to see the boneheads posting here.. They make me laugh! Reza Hunter seems the most idiotic so far! Have the Equity folks collected enough box tops yet that they can send away for the "be a real lawyer like Perry Mason" kit? Last I heard they'd already sent in to be an ordained minister.
Very weak, Coco. Nothing better to say, implies you're losing. Nevermind these desperate(and I mean desperate) kooks purportly respresenting Equity Associates or whatever. You keep up the good work Stern. Your articles on arpaio is making these girly men from Equity look like a pack of teenage wankers. It seems to be working when the truth is told in your articles Stern. Everybody knows arpaio sucks. But at least its affecting the inbreeds inside Maricopa County, having to dig in their roach infested couches for spare change to help pay for arpaio's ever growing lawsuits(and boy, he is on a losing streak!). You got what you deserved, inbreeds. You re-elected arpaio, so pay up! And shut up!
I'd be willing to give Uncle Joe Arpaio temporary immunity from criminal and civil prosecution if he'd stick "Equity Court" in one of the now banned restraint chairs, with a gag. After that, I suggest that somebody page Dr. Phibes and extend the same offer. Because, quite frankly, even though exsanguination makes me uncomfortable, Equity would finally become useful, especially if the jars were donated to the local Red Cross.
I realize that this is only tangentially on topic, but I'd like to see an update regarding the two reports on CHS by the accrediting agency, which the county has refused to release in full. Is someone suing the county (more than one party?) and what is the status of the legal proceedings? Thanks. Great graphic, by the way. :)