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Feds want Sheriff Joe’s records in civil-rights probe

The Justice Department has asked a federal judge in Arizona to force Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to provide full and immediate access to records

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Associated Press

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.

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