Justice Dept. asks judge to force Ariz. sheriff to turn over documents in civil-rights probe

Feds ask judge to order Ariz. sheriff to cooperate

PHOENIX — The Justice Department has asked a federal judge in Arizona to force Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his office to provide full and immediate access to records and facilities for a civil-rights investigation without going to trial.

The motion for summary judgment filed Monday also asks the court to force the sheriff’s office to comply with all future requests involving the probe.

Earlier this month, the Justice Department filed an unprecedented lawsuit against Arpaio’s office for refusing to turn over documents or allow federal officials to evaluate jails and interview staff.

The sheriff’s office has challenged whether the Justice Department is entitled to everything it has requested, such as records on booking procedures, language services and arrests.

Information from: The Arizona Republic, www.azcentral.com