Feds close criminal investigation on Ariz. sheriff
Web Producer: Rikki Mitchell
PHOENIX (AP) - Federal authorities say they're closing their abuse-of-power investigation into Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Arizona without filing charges against him.
Authorities were investigating America's self-proclaimed toughest sheriff for his part in failed public corruption cases against officials who were odds with him. Arpaio brought cases against a judge and two county officials in 2009.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Birmingham Scheel released a statement Friday saying her office "is closing its investigation into allegations of criminal conduct" by current and former members of the sheriff's and county attorney's offices.
Scheel didn't elaborate, saying only that county Attorney Bill Montgomery was advised of the decision "not to pursue state criminal charges related to the investigation."
A federal judge has yet to rule in a civil trial brought by a group of Latino plaintiffs that Arpaio or any of his deputies engaged in racial profiling.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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