Explosive: Arpaio Admits Awful Accusation

Day 3 of Arpaio contempt hearing

Arpaio critics have known for some time that Sheriff Joe Arpaio was involved with a Seattle con man named Dennis Montgomery. He sent two deputies plus Mike Zullo to Washington State to meet Montgomery, reports of payments in excess of $100,000 plus $50,000 in computer equipment have appeared, and there was also a meeting between Arpaio and a Montgomery associate in Phoenix. Phoenix New Times reporter Stephen Lemons spilled the beans from a confidential source early last June.

I also believe that the "universe-shattering" reveal from Mike Zullo and the Cold Case Posse was also based on the Montgomery information, explaining why it was very suddenly hushed up when Montgomery's identity and past history became public.

Despite third-party denials, Sheriff Arpaio admitted in court today that he did indeed pay Montgomery for information on Judge Snow, and that he had paid a private investigator to dig up information on the judge's wife. Phoenix New Times article in hand, Judge Snow grilled Arpaio about all of this. This comes on the heels of a negative barrage of publicity in the local news media.

By way of explanation of why he deliberately ordered staff not to implement the court's orders, Arpaio said that it "slipped through the cracks."

Read more at KPHO:

• Arpaio admits to hiring private agents to investigate judge's wife
• 'Meeker' Arpaio testifies a 2nd day in racial-profiling case
• Arpaio shifts blame over disobeying court order
• Arpaio attorney quits; top deputy turns on boss
• Sheriff Joe Arpaio in court over profiling case
• AZ Sheriff Joe Arpaio faces contempt hearing in profiling case

Read more at the Phoenix New Times:

• Noose Tightens Around Arpaio's Neck as He Channels Ronnie Reagan in Day Two of Contempt Trial

Universe shattering: Arpaio faces contempt charges

Arpaio to face Judge

It's a dangerous day for Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who will have to explain under oath why he shouldn't be held in contempt of court for a willful violation of the Court's order to end racial profiling and to take remedial action to prevent it from happening again. His contempt hearing starts today, scheduled to run for 4 days.

In private Maricopa County Sheriffs Office staff ridiculed the court order in the Melendres v. Arpaio lawsuit. Sheriff Joe has already admitted to being in contempt, offering $350,000 in taxpayer money in restitution (and $100,000 from himself and Deputy Sheridan).

Will the slippery Arpaio escape with a slap in the wrist, or will Federal Judge Snow throw the book at him, even possibly referring Arpaio for criminal prosecution and imprisonment? Perhaps Arpaio will resign, bringing down the tissue of legitimacy he gave the Cold Case Posse and its politically-motivated investigation into President Obama's public documents.

Stay tuned for the story that Birther Report is afraid to cover.

Update:

Judge Snow Judge Snow was not happy with the continued delays in defense providing documentation to plaintiffs. Maricopa County has now been added as a party to the lawsuit. Hearing will be continued to June 16-19 with possible supplemental hearings between April 24 and June 16.

Anti-Arpaio protest outside courtroom