Feuds with judges and County Supervisors
Between 2008 and 2010, Arpaio and former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas together undertook a number of government-corruption investigations targeting political opponents, including judges, county supervisors and administrators, resulting in filing of criminal charges against several individuals, lawsuits against the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and a federal civil-racketeering suit against the supervisors, four judges, and attorneys who worked with the county.[96]
In early 2010, Arpaio and Thomas sought to have a grand jury indict a number of Maricopa County Judges, Maricopa County Supervisors, and employees of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. The grand jury, in an unusual rebuke, ordered the investigation ended. This action has been described as meaning that "... the case is so bad, there's no further evidence that could be brought [to substantiate it]". Legal experts agree this is a rare move.[97]
Arpaio and Thomas lost every case, either by ruling of the courts, or by dropping the case.[98]
Arpaio's and Thomas' actions in these matters led to Thomas' disbarment by a disciplinary panel of the Arizona Supreme Court, which found that Thomas "outrageously exploited power, flagrantly fostered fear, and disgracefully misused the law" while serving as Maricopa County Attorney. The panel found "clear and convincing evidence" that Thomas brought unfounded and malicious criminal and civil charges against political opponents, including four state judges and the state attorney general.[99] "Were this a criminal case," the panel concluded, "we are confident that the evidence would establish this conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt."[100][101]
At least 11 individuals filed lawsuits or legal claims as a result of being targeted by Arpaio and Thomas. The county settled all 11 cases, at significant cost:[96][102]
Gary Donahoe, retired Superior Court judge: $1,275,000 settlement. County legal expenses: $767,127.
Kenneth Fields, retired Superior Court judge: $100,000 settlement. County legal expenses: $81,040.
Barbara Mundell, retired Superior Court judge: $500,000 settlement. County legal expenses: $134,273.
Anna Baca, retired Superior Court judge: $100,000 settlement. County legal expenses: $112,588.
Stephen Wetzel, former county technology director: $75,000 settlement. County legal expenses: $107,647.
Sandi Wilson, deputy county manager and county budget director: $122,000 settlement. County legal expenses: $458,318.
Don Stapley, former county supervisor: $3.5 million settlement. County legal expenses: $1,682,020.
Mary Rose Wilcox, county supervisor: $975,000 settlement, plus 9,938 in court-ordered legal costs. County legal expenses to date: over $375,442.
Susan Schuerman, Stapley’s executive assistant: $500,000 settlement. County legal expenses: $200,201.
Conley Wolfswinkel, Stapley’s business associate: $1,400,000 settlement. County legal expenses: $1,586,152.
Andy Kunasek, county supervisor: $123,110 settlement. County legal expenses: $1,150.