Contempt hearings resume Thursday against birther Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Chief Deputy Sheridan in the case of Melendres v. Arpaio. Four of Arpaio’s current and former attorneys have come under scrutiny. Attorney Tom Liddy will be deposed today (Sept. 21) and the deposition of Tim Casey will continue tomorrow. The court has also ruled that some communications between the attorneys and defendants at a January 2, 2014, meeting are privileged.
Mike Zullo is scheduled to be deposed October 7.
AZCentral.com has a nice article.
Read more:
- Sheriff Arpaio could face fines for disobeying judge – KPHO
- Court records confirm that Arpaio ran the Seattle Operation, then lied about it on the witness stand – Phoenix New Times
- Roberts: Snow could hit Arpaio where it’ll hurt – AZCentral
- Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Contempt Of Court Case Resumes – What You Need To Know – KJZZ
- MCSO Contempt of Court Hearings Underway in Phoenix -KJZZ
- Arpaio’s Attorneys try blocking damning evidence from contempt trial – Phoenix New Times
- Arpaio’s Chief Deputy Shredded on the Stand – Phoenix New Times
- Legally Speaking: MCSO chief deputy retakes stand in contempt hearing that could last a while – KTAR
- Chief Deputy: Sheriff’s Office Paid $250K For Informant’s Secret Investigation – KJZZ
- Arpaio Aide Bickers With ACLU Attorney – Courthouse News Service
- Arpaio’s Seattle Probe Used Federal Funds, Cost $250,000, Says Chief Deputy – Phoenix New Times
- Day two of testimony in Arpaio contempt case, MCSO’s top chief grilled – ABC 15 Arizona
- Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Dirty Laundry Aired in Civil Contempt Hearing – Courthouse News Service
- Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Former Lawyer Expected to Testify This Week – KJZZ
- 10 Damning Revelations of Arpaio’s Contempt Trial, So Far – Phoenix New Times
- Subpoenas Show Arpaio’s Woes in Contempt Trial Just Beginning – Phoenix New Times
- Arpaio contempt hearing: Judge questions chief deputy of informant, timing – AZ Central
- Former Attorney’s Testimony May Be Damaging in Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Contempt Case – KJZZ
- Attorney: Arpaio knew exactly about smuggling unit – 12 News
- Former MCSO attorney testifies in contempt hearing – Fox 10
- Arpaio’s Ex-Lawyer Rolls on Sheriff; Chief Deputy Practically Admits Perjury – Phoenix New Times
- Arpaio Testifies in Contempt Trial, Pulls Old Man Shtick – Phoenix New Times
- Arpaio Incriminates Self During Contempt Trial – Phoenix New Time
- Sheriff Joe Arpaio takes stand in contempt hearing – AZCentral.com
- Sheriff Joe Arpaio Questioned On Internal Affairs, Confidential Informant – KJZZ
- Arpaio Claims Judge Was A Victim In Alleged Bank Fraud Scheme – KJZZ
- Arpaio continues testimony in court – 12 News
- Joe Arpaio Wounded on the Stand by Smoking Gun – Phoenix New Times
To be a fly on the wall October 7.
When I click on this article, it’s blacked out. Is anybody else having this issue?
Just listen to Free Dumb Fridays!
Karl Gall Oops!: “Mike, some of our listeners are saying that you’ve got ALL THE PROOF in THE WORLD but you just refuse to take Obama to court on his forging of his birther certificate. As a former law enforcement officer, what say you?
Mike Zoo Low: “Hell, I would wear a see-through dress and ruby red lipstick all year if we could prove that! Or prove ANYTHING!”
Karl Gall Oops!: “…an…an…and I KNOWWWWWWWW—OH, (pause) that your county prosecutor refuses to charge the Usurper, in…in…in…in FAH-UCKT, (pause) according to one of our contributors, GOD BLESS our contributors! – GOD LOVE THEM! – GOD SPEED THEIR SNAIL MAIL! – uh, what was my point? Uh…uh…oh yeah, a legitimate information source out there – lives right in – well, at least near – the GREAT STATE of Arizona – or…or…or… I’m thinkin’ maybe Mississippi, but anyway, HE says his uncle knows a guy who swears he’s a neighbor of your county prosecutor, and that when he was weaving home at 3:00 A.M. one morning , who’d he see at this prosecutor’s house whooping it up but the whole damn United States Congress – ever last one of ‘em – long with SCOTUS and O’bama and Karl Marx and I don’t know WHO ALL! So they’re all in on this forgery cover up together, Mike and you’ve got an uphill battle there, my friend. (laughs nervously) Haven’t you? An…an…I don’t mean to laugh. You know that, Mike.”
Mike Zoo Low: “Could….could you get that neighbor guys number, Karl? Hell, I would wear a pale violet push up bra, go down in front of any Burger Queen, and do pushups in nothing else non-stop from New Year’s Eve until Arbor Day, if we can prove this.”
Karl Gall Oops!:”Gosh, Mike, I knew it might be important – I meant to ask – but really, I just don’t think this whistleblower even HAD a name, Mike. Darn! Another Obama related mystery – tell me THAT isn’t suspicious!”
Mike Zoo Low:“Hell, I would wear a real smart looking green and blue maternity body stocking and hop incessantly on one leg while squealing ‘Sucker!’ in front of the Supreme Court if we could prove just that!”
Karl Gall Oops!:”Well, Mike, change of subject – but we had a caller earlier today who said Obama is a treasonous Muslim. Seein’s as how you’re not political, what’s your objective take on that?
Mike Zoo Low:” Hell, I would wear a metal trash can over my head and take my ears off with a spoon, if we had some way to prove he’s a God-forsaken you-know what. Whatever happened to ‘Separate but not equal, church and state, for Christ’s sake? Don’t get me started!”
Karl Gall Oops!:”Mike, another caller says, ‘I see where you have given up on getting Congress to investigate Obama, and instead are publicizing Obama’s apparent non-objection to the standard periodic table of the elements, as an indicator that all of that scientific information must be incorrect and treasonous. How serious are you about this issue?”
Mike Zoo Low: ”Hell, I would wear a little black skirt and let my mustache have its way with me, if we can prove this ‘Obama-and-established-Science’ conspiracy is a damn socialist FACT!.”
Karl Gall Oops!:”You mean you don’t have the proof just yet?”
Mike Zoo Low:”Jeeze-Loueze! You got an usurper running wild here in office, and you need MORE PROOf? I think this preoccupation with LEGAL PROOF is something new for Obama’s regime. It wasn’t ever part of any law enforcement that I ever knew about. Or…or…or CARED to know about.”
Karl Gall Oops!:”So the usurper is behind all this new ‘Legal Crap”?
Mike Zoo Low:” “Hell, I would wear my one-legged skin-tight jeans to a randomly chosen Phoenix church wedding in progress, and leg-wrassle the father of the bride right there in the pews, if we can prove this.”
Karl Gall Oops!:”Mike, I have to comment on the probable outcome of your personal legal hurdles – if – AND I SAY IF, you get thrown in prison for life – we’ll get our VIP’s to pull strings and make that the shortest life sentence you’d ever want to serve! Why? Because your professionalism, your really ornate cardboard badges, and your limited vocabulary represent an America on the move which reminds me of Hillary attacking our troops at Benghazi and of Obama killing his Chicago sweet boys.”
Mike Zoo Low:” Hell, I can tell you this – with network T.V. cameras rollin’, I would set fire to a hundred kid’s roadside lemonade stands, slap ten wheel-chair bound quadriplegics , and feed ANYBODY’s momma to the hogs, if we can prove that. Don’t say I’m not a patriot!”
Karl Gall Oops!:”Okay, Mike, before you go .. and I know they are taking you into custody as we speak – if things turn south on you, please know that I have donated copies of all of my Rabbi themed books to every prison library in Florida, so the years should just Zoom by!”
Mike Zoo Low:”No! Karl, take ‘em out! Take ‘em back, Karl. Not the damn Rabbi books. ”
Doc: “Mike Zullo is scheduled to be deposed October 7.”
We need BOTG to give us a fashion update…will Zullo be wearing a cocktail dress or an evening gown?
Jim
September 22, 2015
Doc: “Mike Zullo is scheduled to be deposed October 7.”
“We need BOTG to give us a fashion update…will Zullo be wearing a cocktail dress or an evening gown?”
Fashion forward experts are predicting that he’ll be wearing pink or red lace hot pants with fishnet stockings and black patent crinkle leather boots with moderate heels and a fashionable form fitting tube-top sporting a gold colored cardboard stick pin replica police badge. So yes, there will be at least two BOTG.
New article at Phoenix New Times:
Federal Court Depositions Point to Possible Perjury by Sheriff Joe Arpaio
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/federal-court-depositions-point-to-possible-perjury-by-sheriff-joe-arpaio-7675845
How convenient that the word “depose” has more than one meaning.
Mike Zullo is scheduled to be deposed October 7.
President Obama is scheduled to be deposed, uh… is it still any day now? 😉
Benji and George, your descriptions of Mr. Zullo’s fashion choices are brilliant. Your minds are obviously twisted – but in a good way!
Birther john is no doubt getting his excuses and “technicalities” all in a row, to explain this all away.
Crustacean,
“Benji and George, your descriptions of Mr. Zullo’s fashion choices are brilliant. Your minds are obviously twisted – but in a good way!”
Thank you for appreciating people with excellent fashion trend recognition. Mr. Zullo, deciding on the Dorothy look is very chic for a male of the macho persuasion. I understand that the Dorothy look according to other noted design experts will be the fashion runway hit in Paris this Spring.
The occasion calls for something professional yet chic. Definitely not the ruby red slippers. I’m thinking white heels, a knee-length white “princess”-style dress, white gloves, and a white hat with a medium-sized pink ribbon on it.
Along with maybe a zebra-striped handbag.
Now, now…we know what a great follower of Zullo he is. john’s picking out his outfit…something in a black dress for Zullo’s deposition sounds right. 😀
Isn’t there something about not wearing white after Labor Day? Something in blue to match his mood would be nice. 😀
No, no. White is definitely the appropriate color for Zullo, especially because of its “innocence” connotations. He will want to convey an impression of innocence. This should carry over into his choice of makeup as well.
And he should also make sure the dress is spotless. A stained white dress definitely will not do.
And yes, black would probably be very appropriate for onlooking birther followers such as john.
And another, in which Lemons adds more excerpts, and takes the “Possible” out of the headline: http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/court-records-confirm-that-arpaio-ran-the-seattle-investigation-then-lied-about-it-on-the-witness-stand-7681170
A special tidbit for anti-birthers:
One has to wonder whether he wrote that off as a “charitable contribution” on his income tax return…
Jim is correct about the Labor Day rule though. I’m thinking something in very light pink.
It seems the Arizona Republic has been preparing county residents for this, including publishing a recent article in the paper (featured on the front page a few days ago) reminding county taxpayers how much money he has cost us.
No matter what outfit of choice Zullo picks, one hopes it matches up nicely with the pink undies.
Ran Talbott
“A special tidbit for anti-birthers:
Seagraves said Bailey also told her that early on in the probe “the sheriff had donated $10,000 of his own money” to the Cold Case Posse so Zullo “could use the money to travel to Seattle.”
Okay, so now we know that Sheriff Arpaio made a $10,000 donation to Cold Case Posse for Zullo’s use. We also know that Birther Bill Wolf, the guy who provided the list of “experts” for the birth certificate investigation, contributed $10,000 to Zullo for his use. For an unpaid volunteer, just how much money has he been given for his use? According to Reilly, by mid 2012 the Cold Case Posse had raised $80,000. We also know from Zullo’s text that he apparently gave Montgomery $10,000 from the CCP account. It looks like Zullo was in control of possibly up to $110,000. Maybe the October 7 deposition will give us a better idea about the CCP and Zullo money trail.
Only if it is evening depo. Floor length black before 5? I think not.
I was half expecting him to show up dressed as Zed from Zardoz
One more addition. There was also a reported $5,000 that Zullo received from the Sheriff as reported by Lemons. So that brings Zullo’s play money up to a possible $115,000.00!
I’ll admit that very light pink could work. The problem is, it changes the dynamics with Mike’s ribbon and handbag.
In such a situation I would recommend a slightly darker ribbon (for better contrast, just don’t overdo it) and perhaps more of a small floral print on the handbag.
All of this does of course match with the pink underwear. But I’d recommend against Mike engaging in any “wardrobe malfunctions” in the courtroom. He does (as noted earlier) want to play things up as much as possible from the “innocence” angle.
And thank you all for helping break the Fogbow’s monopoly on fashion reports.
Brain bleach!
Yes, but this is Phoenix, where you can wear white year-round (the high is expected to be 97 today).
I do like the suggestion about pink undies.
Our Pie Hole spending his own money on sending Zoo Low to Seattle? Our Pie Hole lately seemingly knowingly committing perjury (one legal term he probably does understand) to get distance between himself and involvement with Monty and Zoo Lows info-scam?
I still say, these guys may have thought they could tap Birthers for donations with impunity because no court or law enforcement organization would ever look into the clown kar’s books and shenanigans, and now the cat bag is splitting open in a courtroom setting in such a way that Our Pie Hole would rather confess to some contempt, pay a few fines, and retire early rather than have this courts procedures start to reveal how going after Obama, or pretending to, was creating fund-raising opportunities for Our Pie Hole’s next campaign OR retirement. Our Pie Hole should fear the simplicity of turning a public official’s personal job-related acquisition of money into jail time.
Is there someway to communicate this possibility to the ACLU attorneys? It would be a shame if they overlooked the possible importance of the Birther connection just to avoid the smell.
Dr. Conspiracy
September 23, 2015
“And thank you all for helping break the Fogbow’s monopoly on fashion reports.”
Curious George: Thank you for appreciating people with excellent fashion trend recognition.
Maybe soon the fashion trend will be black & white horizontal stripes with ankle bracelets?
With a tan chihuahua or a black chihuahua, do you think?
I suppose we would have to workshop that one around the time honored question “what would Paris do?”
I in fact think the white would contrast wonderfully with the pink undies, which is one of the reasons I suggested it. Of course, as noted above, if Mike allows any undie flash at all it needs to be very brief (and certainly no pun intended) as he wants to go in strong on the “I’m innocent” angle.
Oddly enough, a very quick undie flash could go along with conveying that image. A prolonged one, no.
I do believe the ACLU has a web site with contact information available.
Only if it’s very well chosen. Most chihuahuas are nervous, yappy little dogs. Some of them, however, are relaxed and quite sweet.
The devil’s advocate might say that a yapping little dog would serve as a useful distraction from the testimony. While that’s true, it’s only likely to replace it with a sense of annoyance, which is not what Mike wants.
If he chooses to accessorize with a canine, Mike would do far better with a quiet, sweet-tempered, cute little dog. Preferably one between six months and a year old. What he needs at this point is to generate some sympathy. Again, I would probably go for black over tan for the dog, in order to subtly drive home Mike’s innocence at the subconscious level.
If this is done well, I think it could definitely work in Mike’s favor.
See, you have here this sweet, innocent little dog, who’s black, and then Mike himself (through the symbolism of color) comes across as perhaps even more innocent than the puppy.
So yes, as long as the dog is well chosen and you can make sure it doesn’t take a whiz on Mike’s white or light-pink dress in the middle of the deposition (or make an actual deposition in the midst of the deposition – either problem again gives you the drawback of the yellow-or-brown-stained-dress symbolism – I do like the idea.
It is starting to get cooler at night though. 😛 (we will be cooling down considerably in another couple/few weeks. ).
I lived in Glendale between 1977 and 1981. I’ve heard that the summers are even longer now! Back in those days there were still orange groves and cotton fields on 59th Avenue.
I don’t mean to pull us away from important fashion considerations, but from one of the articles referenced by Dr. Conspiracy, and other published information, it looks like it’s just getting deeper for Shurf Joe:
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/court-records-confirm-that-arpaio-ran-the-seattle-investigation-then-lied-about-it-on-the-witness-stand-7681170
Here’s a bit of a timeline of some of the shenanigans (omitting the CCP’s birther fund-raising scam and who knows what else:)
Late 2013 or early 2014: Deputy County Attorney Tom Liddy & Arpaio’s ex-lawyer in Melendres were present with Joe Arpaio at a meeting in which the Judge Snow/ US DoJ/ Attorney General Eric Holder conspiracy theory was presented. According to the New Times, “‘I remember talking to my co-counsel [Liddy],’ Casey stated for the record. ‘It was a dead issue in my book. It was worthless. It was vindictive. And we would have no part of it.'”
Time unknown:
Captain Steve Bailey (according to Lt. Kim Seagraves) goes directly to Arpaio to express doubts about spending more money on the Montgomery “investigation,” especially given that money in the RICO account was running low. (Baily had apparently been signing off on as much as $10,000 a month to Montgomery). Arpaio tells him (according to Lt. Seagraves), “I don’t care. You need to get the f***ing money.”
Apparently, Bailey stopped approving the payments after that, but someone else did, and the money kept flowing.
Sgt. Travis Anglin also approached Arpaio, expressing his opinion that Arpaio should distance himself from Zullo and Montgomery (again, according to Seagraves). “The sheriff told [Anglin] something to the effect of… ‘Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?'”
Sgt. Travis was then pulled from the Montgomery “investigation.”
April 2015: Arpaio testifies under oath in federal court that he had not been in charge of the Montgomery investigation.
Also in April testimony, federal Judge Murray Snow asked Arpaio whether Arpaio had been investigating him. “It’s not true,” Arpaio claimed.
Sheridan stated that the Seattle investigation had to do with the CIA’s hacking 50,000 Maricopa County bank accounts.
Also in April, Sgt. Brett Palmer “testified that Arpaio had personally instructed him to continue enforcing federal immigration law after Judge G. Murray Snow had prohibited the practice.” (quoting AZ Central)
July 2015: Montgomery’s 51 hard drives and more than 1400 confiscated IDs were effectively seized from the MCSO by federal marshals after the MCSO failed to hand over all relevant evidence as ordered by the court. It appears the drives were held in “found property,” a location where they would not easily be located. It also appears the ID documents were slated for destruction. Their existence had not been disclosed to the official court-appointed monitor as ordered by the Court.
Recently: Sgt. Travis Anglin testifies (quoting New Times article) “that extensive travel to Seattle and back by himself, Mackiewicz, and Zullo was ‘ordered by Sheriff Arpaio.'”
You could probably grab an email address from one of the Melendrez court filings; however, I have reason to believe that they are well informed on all aspects of the case.
April testimony from Brett Palmer:
So, some conclusions that could be drawn:
Sheriff Joe Arpaio was well aware of the federal court order (per the testimony of Sgt. Brett Palmer), and willfully chose to defy it, even arguing against one of his subordinates who refused to comply with Arpaio’s order. I’d call that criminal contempt of court.
Arpaio was in charge of the “Seattle investigation,” if not on a day-to-day, operational basis, on a “final word” basis. It was Joe Arpaio who insisted that the flow of money to Dennis Montgomery continue, again over the objections of a subordinate.
Others such as Tim Casey identified the Seattle investigation as “worthless,” “hogwash,” and described it as “vindictive.”
Yet another subordinate (Travis) who expressed doubts about the Seattle investigation was pulled off of it, but the investigation continued.
Arpaio testified under oath in April that he was not in charge of the investigation.
Arpaio and Sheridan also testified under oath that it was not about attempting to discredit Judge Snow, it was about the CIA hacking into bank accounts of Maricopa County residents. As far as I can recall, I’ve seen no evidence that the investigation had anything at all to do with the CIA hacking into bank accounts.
Arpaio and the MCSO appear to have defied the court’s orders yet again by hiding evidence (the 51 hard drives and 1400+ confiscated IDs), and by conspiring to destroy evidence (the 1400+ confiscated IDs that were slated for destruction).
I am not a lawyer. But to me, all of this points to perjury, criminal contempt of court, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.
IANAL either but I think you’re absolutely right. It’s almost like Arpaio has been asking for it.
Frankly I don’t know how the judge can avoid taking action. What it will be is the only question.
Stephen Lemons is live-tweeting the hearing:
https://twitter.com/stephenlemons
So far:
Stephen Lemons @stephenlemons 22m22 minutes ago
At @RealSheriffJoe contempt hearing, Sheridan on the stand being hammered by by plaintiffs counsel @ violation of prelim 2011 order
Stephen Lemons @stephenlemons 21m21 minutes ago
.@RealSheriffJoe hearing Chief Deputy’s credibility in shreds, keeps saying he “doesn’t recall” emails from and meetings with counsel
Stephen Lemons @stephenlemons 16m16 minutes ago
.@RealSheriffJoe hearing Judge Snow denies attempts to block Montgomery info from contempt hearing, also denied defense motion on Vogel
I read an article that said “experts” believe there’s little chance the court will order any jail time for an 83-year-old elected official.
It appears to me, though, that he richly deserves it.
Pete: It appears to me, though, that he richly deserves it.
Perhaps Arpaio will be sentenced to parade around in his signature pink shorts ….. even for a day until that decision is appealed and overturned
Here’s a tweeted update from Stephen Lemons:
.@RealSheriffJoe break 4lunch, Sheridan on stand still. After him, Casey, Sands. Arpaio not expected 2testify till nxtweek #ArpaioContempt
.@RealSheriffJoe Sheridan said “did not recall” emails, Supervisor meetings, meetings w/lawyers, revisions 2 operations orders re Snow order
[Really?]
Sheridan also grilled on IA investigations, spin offs frm Armendariz suicide, etc. 40+so far. Just 1 major discipline. #ArpaioContempt
Sheridan admits mcso chief Trombi was promoted while under IA investigation #ArpaioContempt
[Wow. Is that standard practice?]
Judge Snow’s prelim injunction and its appeal discussed at Board of Supervisors meeting Sheridan attended. “Do not recall” #ArpaioContempt
[Really, Jerry? Maybe you have Alzheimer’s?]
[tweet from Nigel Duara:] ACLU will try to show intent. As long as Arpaio and his deputies deny, it’ll remain at a stalemate.
Regarding MCAO’s discussion of prelim inj at BOS meeting, Sheridan says “I’m not a lawyer..don’t know if I understood” #ArpaioContempt
[Alzheimer’s plus incompetence?]
.@nigelduara disagree. At some point denials not credible in face of record. also Arpaio made numerous statements thumbing nose at court.
.@RealSheriffJoe outside courtroom, I begged him 2 take the 5th next week to give us the headline. He laughed it off #ArpaioContempt
.@nigelduara plus @RealSheriffJoe has already admitted civil contempt. There’s plenty of evidence to refer for criminal contempt prosc
Courtroom not as packed as I expected in #ArpaioContempt hearing. About 20 lawyers. Half as many reporters. Not made 4 TV. #ArpaioContempt
During #ArpaioContempt hearing Arpaio slumped in chair, looking wan. Sheridan on the stand like Col Jesus in a Few Good Men
.@stephenlemons sorry Col Jessup #ArpaioContempt
Lunch break over, back in #ArpaioContempt I’m looking forward 2 Frmr Arpaio lwr Tim Casey’s testimony 2morrowaybe? Spilled beans in depo
Oh, hell, just give him the death penalty:
More from the New Times:
Been reading Lemons twitter feed. By the sound of it, Shurfjoke is looking a bit pale.
Gee I wonder why. =D
Been reading Lemons twitter feed. By the sound of it, Shurfjoke is looking a bit pale. I think he knows he’s man whose about to have his ass nailed to the wall, and no amount of menacing pointing is gonna help him now.
Yeah, and Jerry Sheridan is beet red.
More of Lemons’ Twitter feed:
Afternoon break in #ArpaioContempt. Fur flew when ACLU attorney drilled down on IA process. Sheridan admitted 2what sounded like whitewash
Sheridan told ACLU attorney Cecilia Wang he opened a criminal IA bec “We knew ud be on our ass if we didn’t”. #ArpaioContempt
Criminal IA closed by Sheridan on IDs, but he admitted drugs found at Det. Armendariz home never criminally investigated #ArpaioContempt
Sheridan also told ACLUattorneyCeceliaWang he reversed 1 IA just because there were other deputies involved in allegations #ArpaioContempt
Wang’s relentless interrogation demonstrated that Mcso IA process is flawed, that MCSO cannot investigate itself #ArpaioContempt
Sheridan’s face red asbeet on stand. Guy needs his own Col. Jessup emoji. Meanwhile Arpaio looks like aWhite Walker frm GOT #ArpaioContempt
Ah, Colonel Jessup.
“ACLU attny Cecillia Wang grilled MCSO’s Sheridan like a mackerel on the stand 2day in #ArpaioContempt ”
If he is charged with criminal contempt (and it seems increasingly possible by the moment) and he is convicted I can’t imagine Snow letting him walk without at least spending a day or two in his own jail.
That, ladies and gentlemen, would be sweet justice.
That would appear to me to be about the only justice possible.
And yet Arpaio’s lawyers brought it up as “sufficient reason” for an unbiased observer to doubt Snow’s impartiality in their recusal motions. And once again, no sanction for frivolous motions. *smh* I mean, we’re talking actual sane lawyers here, not Orly. They should not get away with such antics IMO.
KJZZ has article on first day of hearings:
http://kjzz.org/content/196222/mcso-contempt-court-hearings-underway-phoenix
Chief Deputy Sheridan was on the stand all day. Plaintiff attacked his claim that he did not know about the court order he was violating.
Judge Snow denied a motion to exclude questions about Dennis Montgomery.
Well, what the second batch brought up was that Arpaio actually went ahead with that “useless” and “vindictive” action, and that Snow found out about it.
The argument was that knowing of the existence of the effort, despite the fact that it was a failure, could be credibly perceived as a cause of bias.
I’m adding news item links to the story as I run across them. NPR even had a brief piece yesterday morning on the hearings resuming.
“Did you ever — you see that the article says that what Montgomery was actually doing was investigation me. You see that that’s what the article says?” Snow asked the sheriff.
“It’s not true,” Arpaio said.
“Are you aware that I have ever been investigated?” Snow asked.
“You investigated?” Arpaio asked back. “No, no.”
This appears to be a direct, provable lie. Under oath.
if i’m not mistaken, snow will only recommend criminal contempt charges to a federal prosecutor. the actual criminal trial would be handled by another judge and any prison time would be in federal prison, not maricopa county.
not the same from a poetic justice point of view but…… what are you going to do?
You’re probably right about Snow not handling any trial but the Feds keep lots of folks in Joe’s jail. I believe the Kentucky county clerk cited for contempt went into her local jail. There’s a Federal facility in far northwest Phoenix, as I recall. Problem for all of them is they aren’t designed to handle short term guests.
It really doesn’t matter where he goes…..just as long as he does.
i’m curious if a day or two in jail would cause joe to lose the support/admiration of his average supporter or if they’d then consider him a martyr political prisoner.
For his most ardent supporters it will be a positive but given his most recent poll numbers I suspect the information coming out in court AND a contempt conviction would probably prompt him to decide “retirement” is his best option.
Arpaio doing time anywhere would be a spectacle.
Now we’re getting into some juicy stuff, according to Lemon they used some federal funds on the Seattle Operation.
Edit to add link
https://twitter.com/stephenlemons
Hmm. I’m sure there are rules as to what those federal funds can be used for. I doubt that “investigating a federal judge” is among them.
Misappropriation of funds?
Must be nice to have a ton of taxpayer money to pay for stuff like that.
LOL! At this rate Arpaio might not be feeling well enough to testify. He’ll no doubt come down with a nasty case of Lily Liver. The symptoms include a yellow belly, and feet of clay.
Just when you think it can’t get any better (or worse) it does.
This is just amazing!
Universe-shattering! The universe-shattering evidence is FINALLY coming out!
Looks like we have an error, however, reported by Lemons:
Continuing Lemons’ twitter feed:
So the attempts to get info out of Montgomery – by Mike Zullo – continued until April 20 of this year. Interesting.
What was that again? “Opens door to federal crimes by MCSO?”
Of course. It was all just a big misunderstanding.
Iafrate incriminated in refusal to reveal the existence of, or hand over, the 1500 IDs. We’re also talking more willful defiance of the court’s orders on the part of the MCSO. I’d like to know who specifically agreed to that?
Looking like around $1 million spent on the whole Dennis Montgomery deal.
A million bucks.
Hard to get over this. It’s kind of like, “Well, we spent about half of the taxpayers’ money on whiskey and wh*res. And the rest, we wasted.”
Sheriff Joe Arpaio for Speaker of the House!!!
But actually
Here is what the GOP should do….Go to GOP Candidates for POTUS and offer one of them Speaker of the House (They would drop out of the race to be POTUS). Remember, Speaker of House DOES NOT have to be Congressman. Who would take it. Ted Cruz? Marco Rubio? Ben Carson for Speaker of the House?
Brilliant, john.
How about The Donald?
The way things are looking, Sheriff Joe Arpaio just might end up Speaker of the Big House.
Jailbird Joe.
Twitter feed:
That thought has occured. The GOP could get Trump to drop out but they would have to be willing to make him Speaker of the House.
You do understand that the Speaker is elected on a vote of the entire House…
How about racist birfer john for Speaker?
How goes that job hunt, john? Maybe you should email an application.
While technically the Speaker of the House does not have to an elected member of the House, a non-member has never been chosen as Speaker.
Why would you want a Speaker who has no knowledge of how the House works?
That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day.
Sooner or later, Trump’s going to collapse under his own weight.
Or under the weight of whatever that is on top of his head. Whichever comes first.
It’s beginning to look like Arpaio, Sheridan and Boy Wonder Zullo are on the verge of destroying one of the largest law enforcement organizations in the country. This will be their legacy. This will be their “Universe Shattering, ” ultra hyped misadventure, standing in the spotlight for all to see. October 7, 2015 and the Mike Zullo deposition can’t come so enough. Will Mark Gillar or Carl Gallups come to the rescue? Will Larry Klayman try to pull another rabbit out of his hat? Will Dennis Montgomery finally figure out where he lives? Stay tuned.
Because the guy who does know keeps getting in the way of their stupid stunts?
But, you have to admit it would be a brilliant move on the part of the GOP. They’re always talking about how they want to “make government more efficient”. This would dramatically accelerate the “corruption” and “incompetence” parts: bring in someone who was quite openly bought off even before he takes office, and has already proven he’s not capable of handling the job. Usually, it takes months, or even years, to find out that an officeholder is incompetent or crooked. Sometimes it doesn’t even happen until after he’s left.
With Trump, they could jump to impeachment and expulsion as the very first item of business.
No court Monday. Hearing resumes Tuesday.
Um, you misspelled the three letter word that means ‘backside’. Just sayin’ 😎
Keith
September 26, 2015
Curious George: Will Larry Klayman try to pull another rabbit out of his hat?
“Um, you misspelled the three letter word that means ‘backside’. Just sayin’ 😎”
Keith, okay just for you…Will Larry Klayman pull another rabbit out of his backside? An eight letter word that means the same as the three letter word. 😉
You’re kidding us john, right? No wait. You’re that stupid.
Oooops. No. I just underestimated how stupid.
John,
What do you think about the Universe Shattering information coming out of the Arpaio contempt of court hearing? How come your buddies over at Birther Report aren’t covering the Universe Shattering revelations at the Arpaio contempt of court hearing. Do you have any inside information about Korporal Zullo’s testimony?
In addition to being a fly on the wall at the deposition wouldn’t you love to know what Zullo is thinking right now?
He has to be one nervous guy.
Birther Report appears to be strangely silent regarding all of the new revelations coming out of Arpaio’s operation. This is it, guys! A/Z Day is here! The Universe-Shattering Revelations are being revealed!!
Where is Birther Report on this?
In deep denial with their hands over their eyes so they can pretend it isn’t happening.
Hey Birther Report. A/Z Day is fast approaching. This is it. The Galactic Shattering information will finally see the light of day! Hey Gillar, Hey Volin, Hey Sharon, how about some coverage for this monumental event!
EXTRA! EXTRA! Birther Report Ignores Universe Shattering Information Release!
EXTRA! EXTRA! Gallups Conveniently Forgets Mike Zullo.
EXTRA! EXTRA! Volin Burns Sheriff’s Kits.
EXTRA! EXTRA! Epic Birther Fail Coming Soon!
Bob @ Fogbow points to the new Lemons’ article:
Anglin approached Arpaio directly, warning the sheriff to distance himself from Zullo and Montgomery, but he similarly was rebuffed.
Subsequently, Sheridan took Anglin off the Seattle assignment
Sheridan said he did so because Anglin had tried to remove Zullo from the operation.
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arpaios-seattle-probe-used-federal-funds-cost-250k-says-chief-deputy-7692333
I’m working on a list of inappropriate behaviors and possible crimes here.
Here’s what I’ve got so far:
* Contempt of court (probably criminal, plus civil liability)
* Misappropriation of funds (i.e., using federal money to go on a fishing expedition investigating a federal judge)
* Solicitation of confidential, possibly classified information belonging to the CIA (what would be the name for this?)
* Perjury
* Obstruction of justice
* Conspiracy
* Fraudulent fund raising (raising large sums, possibly millions of dollars, from birthers nationwide by publicly presenting known false information)
* Failure to properly conduct internal affairs investigations
Anything else?
And as if Trump would be interested in being Speaker of the House.
John probably believes that one of these days Zullo is going to release
the Reed Hayes report.
I just read that. When this is all said and done Lemons should be nominated for a Pulitzer Price.
I can’t wait to hear how they (Birthers) rationalize it. My guess is they will cast it as more of the grand conspiracy to make Obama look legitimate.
Several new news stories. Links added to the article above.
Ummm, I think it starts with SP…. oh wait…. ummmm… Espionage?
I like the word Derriere myself. 😛
Looks like the MCSO took federal DRUG TRAFFICKING MONEY and used it in the Seattle investigation.
My, my.
* Theft.
I forgot theft.
It looks like they stole (“seized”) IDs and “religious trinkets” from detained Latinos.
Wouldn’t there be something here about “under the color of the law?”
Pete,
“Wouldn’t there be something here about “under the color of the law?”
How about just good old fashioned corruption and rogue cops?
Oh, I’ll go for that. But that’s incredibly vague. No, I’m talking specifics here.
In Australia they use a four letter word instead of the three letter word: arse. Sounds too European to me, ‘merikins would never be comfortable with that.
They’re not touching Arpaio’s trial with a ten foot pole over at BR. Gee, I wonder why! 😉
I guess finding new ways to repackage the “Hillary and Obama were the first birthers!” lies is more of a priority, than defending their favorite hero.
-Afraid of the release of “birther-shattering” evidence.
-Tired of Zullo’s “any day now, send money”.
-Worried the feds may go after BR next.
-Don’t want to have to hire a lawyer to tell the court that they (especially falcon) really are clueless and have no idea what’s going on.
-Found out their “Great White Hope” was really a “Great White Dope”.
-If they ignore it, they can claim ignorance to the fact they’ve been scammed.
-It’s hard to spin the fact that they’ve been lied to, used, shown their gullibility, and proven their stupidity and make it sound good.
-They’re waiting for A/Z to go to jail so they can blame Obama for “getting” them.
-They’re waiting for Arpaio to pull another rabbit out of his hat and make this all go away…for a few million dollars more to the county taxpayers.
And they number one reason BR won’t touch this with a ten foot pole is…birthers don’t know how to use a ten foot pole!
Stay tuned for next week’s top 10 – Why birthers are so gullible.
not only that, but the commentators seem to be slipping back into the idea of the magic reset button.
i’m kind of glad bob blocked me again, as i’d find myself feeling a bit like this…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shs7VQhVvxA
basically, at the moment bob seems to be doing more recycling than a hyperactive hippy.
More bits from Sheridan testimony:
http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/09/27/sheriff-joe-arpaios-dirty-laundry-aired-in-civil-contempt-hearing.htm
Says federal money was repaid. Focus on Montgomery claim that bank records were hacked.
The big unanswered question is whether Montgomery started with Arpaio on the hacked bank account story, or whether it was something to do with Obama. Jerome Corsi and Tim Blixseth seem to have been the middle men, and it goes all the way back to 2012. If Montgomery were paid $10,000 per month, and the total paid was $250,000 (recent per Chief Deputy Sheridan) ending April of 2015, that puts the start at March of 2013. Zullo was waving around “universe shattering” deep dark stuff towards the fall of 2013 and this was about the time Zullo went to Seattle.
We have clues: back in 2013, there was a minor flap when Zullo suggested he had two full-time MCSO detectives working on the birfering.
While that was being sorted out, we were told that the “second investigation” had sprouted from something Zullo found, but wasn’t related to the BC scam. And that that was what the detectives were working on.
At the time, I joked that he probably got a tip about a drug gang, or somesuch, from an attendee at one of his dog-and-pony shows for the local tea party clubs, and was trying to claim he’d actually accomplished something with his otherwise-fruitless snipe hunt.
That strongly suggests that Monty’s path to Arpaio was an already-established connection with Zullo.
I’ve been wondering for some time now whether it will turn out that Corsi and the birthers (with Arpaio’s help) sparked the chain of events that will finish off Arpaio’s career.
Yeah! And I no longer worry about the ACLU lawyers “being aware” of the EXTENT (notice I didn’t say ‘DEPTH’) of the CCP ‘s investigative Obama focus. I finally just Googled “Mike Zullo”, and 19 of the first 20 hits show him, tied to Arpaio, reporting to Arpaio, and doing the Birther holy work.
The very first hit, is a WND article whining about the stagnation of the Universe Shattering Evidence that Zullo claimed he had in his hands. Titled,Universe-Shattering-Info-On-Obama-Delayed, it blatantly states:
“Montgomery, who turns up in attorney Larry Klayman’s lawsuit as a “whistleblower” against the National Security Agency’s program of collecting the personal data of U.S citizens, also apparently figures in the birth certificate case.
I now suspect that ACLU lawyers will inevitably see the likelihood, that the Dennis Montgomery/ Zullo ‘investigation’ of Obama was the stepfather of the Dennis Montgomery/ Zullo fiasco looking into Judge Snow’s connections/activities.
Gallups and the fund-raising are all over many of the “Zullo” Google hits, which are ‘legion’! Those hits look to be in the thousands, often coming from RWNJ sites, that create the impression that Zullo is the horse pulling Arpaio’s cart full of Birthers.
One of the things about this birther crap. It sticks to those who’ve publicly wallowed in its promotion and leaves a lasting stench wherever they go.
Google has a pretty long memory. A web search for “Mike Zullo” is going to turn up a stink for a long, long time to come.
I’ve been thinking a bit along these lines lately…
What happens to left over political fund raising dollars when the candidate loses or retires or whatever?
Some of these SuperPac’s that are tied to candidates (with no coordination, of course) have a heck of a lot of money. Can they ‘just’ turn it over to whomever they please when they close down because the candidate is no longer a candidate?
What about actual campaign funds? If 1000 Sun City blue-rinse biddies give Joe $1000 each for his next campaign, and he “decides” not to run, what happens to all that dough? Does it just roll over into his retirement fund?
And if they run an actual campaign, is there any ‘matching funds’ they can get from anywhere? How easy is it to spike invoices for these programs when applying for these matching funds?
Is there any way that 17 (or is it 170) presidential candidates think that this might be a good way to pad their retirement fund?
The Ethics Reform Act of 1989, which applies to federal elections, prohibits the use of leftover campaign funds for persona use. They can donate it to charity, for example. See:
http://www.fec.gov/law/cfr/11_cfr.pdf
States have their own rules. The rule in Arizona, which also prohibits conversion to personal use, is:
16-915.01 . Disposal of surplus monies; transfer of debt
A. A political committee shall dispose of surplus monies only as follows:
1. Retain surplus monies for use in a subsequent election, which includes a transfer by an individual’s exploratory committee or a candidate’s campaign committee to that individual’s subsequent exploratory committee or that candidate’s campaign committee designated for a subsequent election.
2. Return surplus monies to the contributor to the extent records are available permitting such return.
3. Contribute surplus monies to the county, state or local committee of a political party.
4. Donate the surplus monies to a charitable organization that qualifies under section 501(c)(3) of the United States internal revenue code.
5. In the case of a political committee other than an individual’s exploratory committee or a candidate’s committee, contribute surplus monies to a candidate’s campaign committee if the contribution is within the limitations of section 16-905.
6. Donate surplus monies to a political committee other than an individual’s exploratory committee or to a candidate’s campaign committee.
7. Subject to the restrictions in section 41-133, contribute surplus monies to the individual’s officeholder expense account.
8. Dispose of the surplus monies in any other lawful manner.
B. Surplus monies shall not be used for or converted to the personal use of the designating individual, in the case of an individual’s exploratory committee, or a candidate, in the case of a candidate’s campaign committee, or any person related to the candidate by blood or marriage. Nothing in this subsection precludes the repayment of a loan made by the designating individual or candidate to his campaign.
C. An individual’s exploratory committee or a candidate’s campaign committee may transfer its debts and obligations to that individual’s subsequent exploratory committee or that candidate’s campaign committee designated for a subsequent election.
I thought there was some deal in Arizona where Arpaio could raise funds and then get to keep them. I guess I was wrong about that? Apparently so.
Thanks Doc. That is brilliant.
Chief Deputy Sheridan was on the stand again today (the third day). Casey, MacIntye then Sands Wednesday per Stephen Lemons tweet.
The way its going, I fully expect Shurfjoke to pull the “doddering old fool” bit, by the time he gets on the stand.
http://kjzz.org/content/198641/former-attorney%E2%80%99s-testimony-may-be-damaging-sheriff-joe-arpaio%E2%80%99s-contempt-case
I keep adding links to the article to the growing press coverage.
Also note this timeline of the Arpaio stuff on KJZZ:
http://kjzz.org/sheriff-joe-arpaio-in-court
Legal fees in Melendres approach $9 mil.
http://kjzz.org/sites/default/files/8%2027%20request%20all%20legal%20costs%20Melendres.pdf
Maybe that has been answered. This is what Lawrence Sellin said on the Peter Boyles radio program September 12, 2014:
“this whistleblower walked into Arpaio’s office basically and had information about how the… now this is what I’m told, I’m not part of the investigation I should add… but what I’ve learned is that this whistleblower had information about, you know, how the birth certificate was produced, who… you know who might have done it, where it was done. And even pointed the finger towards CIA Director John Brennan.”
On the other hand, Larry Klayman claims in his Arpaio v. ACLU brief:
“Meanwhile, Plaintiff Montgomery had also been approached by Sheriff Arpaio and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (“MCSO”) under MCSO’s “Cold Case Posse” project concerning the same topics as his consultation with the ACLU, as it concerned Arizona citizens and illegal surveillance of them by the federal government.”
H/t to Tes.
It appears that Mike Zullo is right in the middle of this.
Arpaio incriminates self during contempt trial
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arpaio-incriminates-self-during-contempt-trial-7710306
This is an article you’ll probably want to read.
It gets deeper than that, Doc. Lemons’ most recent tweet (3 minutes ago), the latest from inside the courtroom, says:
The letter he’s referring to was typewritten by Arpaio. So Lemons is saying that there is solid proof, documented from Arpaio himself, that he either believed in or was concocting a conspiracy involving Judge Snow.
This is a direct contradiction to Arpaio’s testimony in April that he wasn’t investigating Snow (I don’t have the exact quote handy). So it would appear to be proof positive that Arpaio perjured himself in April.
Perjury in federal court = criminal.
And a minute later it gets even deeper……………….
Stephen Lemons @stephenlemons 2m2 minutes ago
That Arpaio actually investigated this bullsh@t might make u questionhis sanity.Or itwas genius plot to conflict Snoworboth #ArpaioContempt
I used to think Arpaio was cagey but the more I see the easier it is to believe he is just plain stupid.
Ouch.
Stephen Lemons @stephenlemons 4m4 minutes ago
Mel McDonald, who allowed his client @RealSheriffJoe to incriminate himself in federal court today #ArpaioContempt
Ouch indeed.
Stephen Lemons @stephenlemons 1h1 hour ago
Plaintiffs attrny StanYoung kicked Joe’s ass so hard 2day in court, the sheriffs grandkids felt it #ArpaioContempt
http://kjzz.org/content/200475/arpaio-claims-judge-was-victim-alleged-bank-fraud-scheme
Ah, yes. The old, “I wasn’t investigating the judge in my case to try and discredit him, I was just trying to help him out because I thought he might be a victim of bank fraud” ploy.
Well played, sir.
Not that anyone with an IQ above 2 believes you.
It was a nice try, though.
It’s no wonder birthers like him he’s just as stupid as they are.
The above quote by Sheriff Arpaio deserves more discussion than it’s gotten.
This is a direct confession by Sheriff Joe Arpaio that he lies to the press whenever he finds it convenient or expedient to do so.
But lying to the press isn’t just lying to the press. It’s lying to the PUBLIC, because the press are there for the sole reason of reporting things to the public.
So here we have Sheriff Joe Arpaio testifying, under oath, that he’s a liar. Testifying under oath, in fact, that he has on multiple occasions lied to the voters who elected him, and that in fact he does so rather routinely.
I’d say this is major news for anyone who’s ever gone out of their way to support Joe Arpaio. It ought to be a big topic of discussion over at Birther Report, for example.
Once someone admits that you’ve caught them lying, how do you trust anything that individual has told you in the past, or anything they might tell you in the future?
As far as the court is concerned, if someone admits they’re a liar, then why wouldn’t they also lie in your courtroom? The answer is: They would, if they thought they had to or it was strongly in their interest and they wouldn’t get caught, or if they thought you couldn’t prove that they had lied.
So why would someone make an admission of this type, in court and under oath?
Sheriff Arpaio made the admission because he had no choice. He made it because the record of what he had said to the press was directly contradictory to what he was telling the court.
He made it because it was obvious that he was lying to somebody, so he told the court, “It wasn’t you I’ve been was lying to.”
If he does run again, and if I were running against him, I would definitely make use of his admission in ads against him.
There’s nothing unlawful about that. What would be the purpose of sworn testimony if that weren’t the case?
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/joe-arpaio-wounded-on-the-stand-by-smoking-gun-7712770
I never said it was illegal.
There are honest people, and there are liars. Sheriff Joe has testified, under oath, that he’s a liar, and that (in fact) he lies to the voters who elected him whenever he finds it useful to do so.
So from now on, anyone who calls Joe Arpaio a liar, is – by the Sheriff’s own sworn admission – simply describing him accurately.
That just simply isn’t the point. The break-in at the Democratic National Headquarters at Watergate was a ‘3rd rate operation by 2nd rate’ perpetrators (in the words of the then President of the United States.
It wasn’t the break-in that brought him down. It was the cover up and his direct lies TO THE PUBLIC that brought him down (he NEVER gave sworn testimony).
I am not a crook
“Wilcox husband in 150,000.00” doesn’t read like “among the 150,000 bank fraud victims” (as Arpaio claims it means) but rather seems to reference a money sum.
And we now also know that Zullo’s real name is “Milk Zolus”. 😉
I thought that, too, when I first looked at it. But closer inspection suggests that those aren’t actually two zeros following a decimal point. The amount of separating space suggests that it’s more likely to be a separate notation. Perhaps something like “DJ” or “OJ” to identify a source, or even a form of smiley emoticon to reflect the irony Arpaio said he saw in Wilcox being among the alleged victims.
A person who attended the hearing heard Apraio say $150,000 when the exhibit was on the screen then he changed his story to say it referred to 150,000 victims. If so this doesn’t jive with previous testimony by Sheridan? that there were 50,000 victims of the fictitious bank fraud. I hope the ACLU resumes this line of questioning. It is sounding more and more like the fictitious bank fraud story is a cover for obstruction of justice.
The note says “IN 150,000.00” which might might be short for “income,” but how would Arpaio know that? Could it have come from the Wilcox lawsuit? Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox got $975,000 from the lawsuit from wrongful prosecution. Her Salary is $76,000 per year.
The Arizona Republic: “Wilcox said the legal warfare cost she and her husband their home, their retirement savings and hundreds of thousands of dollars to banks and attorneys.”
Cost SHE and her husband?
Why don’t they teach journalists the English language?
I don’t think there is enough information out there to figure out to what the “150,000” refers.
LOL, Shurf Joe is desperate to broaden his base!
Joe Arpaio to Speak at Pro-Pot Event in Sun City
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/joe-arpaio-to-speak-at-pro-pot-event-in-sun-city-7718886
Maybe he thinks that if he pretends to support something he doesn’t actually give a flying crap about, it’ll somehow repair his public image.
As we enter the Post-literate Age, I believe the update to the saying is “You can’t teach a young dog old tricks” 🙁
Well, that did work pretty well, for a while, with the birther
scam“investigation”…