U.S. prosecutors have convened a grand jury as part of their investigation into abuses by Sheriff Joe Arpaio, two county officials say — a sign that the probe may be kicking into a higher gear.
Maricopa County Manager David Smith and Deputy County Manager Sandi Wilson said last night they had been subpoenaed to testify next week before the panel. Both have clashed with Arpaio.
The probe appears focused on two related but different areas. It began as an inquiry into whether Arpaio’s office had violated civil-rights laws as part of its aggressive tactics to round up illegal immigrants. But it appears also now to be looking into whether Arpaio used his office to target and intimidate political opponents, as several have claimed.