Associated Press,


PHOENIX — The Justice Department sued the nation’s self-proclaimed “toughest sheriff” Thursday, calling Joe Arpaio’s defiance of an investigation into his office’s alleged discrimination against Hispanics “unprecedented.”

The Arizona sheriff had been given until Aug. 17 to hand over documents the federal government first asked for 15 months ago, when it started investigating alleged discrimination, unconstitutional searches and seizures, and jail policies that discriminate against people with limited English skills.

Arpaio called the lawsuit “a ruse” and said the federal government is just trying to score a win against the state, which has found itself at the center of the nation’s argument over illegal immigration since passing a law that mirrors many of the policies Arpaio has put into place in the greater Phoenix area.

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