"Toughest Sheriff" No Match for Hecklers
Hecklers in the audience broke into a loudly-sung version of "Bohemian Rhapsody" and forced a high-profile Arizona sheriff to abandon a First Amendment forum sponsored by Arizona State University's journalism school.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who calls himself "America's Toughest Sheriff," was asked by a panel of journalism professors Monday night to explain his relationship with the media, his various law enforcement policies, and whether his office conducts racial profiling.
CBS Affiliate KPHO recently reported that Arpaio is under investigation by the FBI over allegations that he used his position to settle political vendettas.
KPHO has investigated complaints from business owners, law enforcement officials, government workers and even the Mayor of Phoenix who said they had been targeted by sheriff's deputies after speaking out about Arpaio and his tactics.
Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon (who publicly labeled the sheriff's high-profile anti-immigration raids as "made-for-TV stunts") said he's found himself in the sheriff's crosshairs on multiple occasions, and says it was "definitely" retaliation.
An attorney for County Supervisor Don Stapley said his client was falsely accused after opposing the sheriff's budget, and insisting auditors review the sheriff's expenditures. Stapley was recently indicted on 118 charges, and when prosecutors asked that they all be dropped, Stapley was arrested on 100 new felony and misdemeanor counts.
Others who claim they were investigated by the sheriff's office, necessitating the expenditure of hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees, include Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, a Superior Court judge, and Araipo's opponent in the 2004 and 2008 elections.
Five year ago a Phoenix New Times reporter was put under criminal investigation after working on a story about the sheriff's hidden land investments. When the paper continued publishing its stories, the New Times' publisher and executive editor were arrested and jailed. The next day, the County Attorney dropped all charges, saying the investigation had spun out of control.
In a statement to KPHO the sheriff's office said it does not "retaliate against any specific individual or agency."
Interest in Monday's forum at ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication was high: Students critical of the sheriff's record on human rights planned to protest, according to postings on a Facebook page.
Arpaio told the panel that his office is an "equal opportunity law enforcement agency" that will arrest anyone who violates the law.
Journalist Rick Rodriguez asked, "Why have there been so many officials who say they have been targeted because they are your opponents?"
Arpaio said, "These questions you're asking me came from a media outlet, word by word."
"It didn't, and they came from me, word by word," replied Rodriguez.
"Well, then, it's quite a coincidence," Arpaio said.
Some attendees and viewers of the livestream said the sheriff appeared to be dodging questions.
"He's pretty good at switching the questions and not answering them straightforwardly," ASU student Victoria Morrow told KPHO
Nevertheless, Arpaio made a point to address a question about his apparent affinity for the spotlight.
"People call me a publicity hound," the sheriff said. "By the way, you invited me; I didn't invite you. Is that correct?"
Perhaps to tweak the audience, Arpaio (left) donned a hat depicting Wilbur the Wildcat, mascot for the University of Arizona - not a popular figure in Sun Devil country.
The sheriff told the panel the outburst was "ridiculous" and he left the stage.
ASU journalism school dean Christopher Callahan later called the protest misplaced.
School officials said security did not take away the singing protesters inside because officers were too busy controlling the hundreds of protesters gathered outside.
For more info:
Arpaio Walks Out After Hecklers Burst Into Song (KPHO, 11.30.09)
Sources: FBI Investigating Joe Arpaio (KPHO, 10.29.09)
Private Citizens: Joe Arpaio Targeted Us, Too (KPHO, 11.25.09)