Congressman Biggs Urges DOJ to End Federal Overreach Against Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office

Today, Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) sent a letter to United States Attorney General Pam Bondi urging her Department of Justice to resolve a 2013 lawsuit that has resulted in more than a decade of federal oversight of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). This government overreach has cost Arizona taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and continues despite near-total compliance with the original court order.

In 2013, a federal court placed MCSO under a court-ordered monitor to oversee policing reforms. Since then, three sheriffs have implemented policy changes, training, and reporting requirements to meet federal standards. Even with near-total compliance, the federal monitor has piled on new demands that go far beyond the original ruling.

Taxpayers have been saddled with nearly $350 million in costs, including more than $34 million paid directly to the DOJ-appointed monitor and his firm. This continued federal intervention has worsened deputy attrition and recruitment challenges, straining MCSO’s ability to keep Maricopa County safe.

“For over a decade, a costly federal monitor has hamstrung the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office through administrative overreach and constant federal interference,” said Congressman Biggs.

“MCSO has worked tirelessly to comply with the court-ordered reforms, and it’s clear that the original goals of the oversight have been met. The continued monitoring, along with the growing costs associated with it, serves no legitimate purpose for the people of Maricopa County.

“I urge AG Bondi to bring this matter to a close and allow local law enforcement to move forward without unnecessary federal involvement.”

Maricopa County Supervisor Mark Stewart expressed his views on the federal oversight of the Sheriff’s Office, stating: “It’s time we wrap up this decade-long oversight. I want to thank Judge Snow for his invaluable guidance and hopefully for ending this costly oversight. The dedicated men and women of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office deserve to be recognized as the top-tier law enforcement organization they are. Taxpayers rightly expect their hard-earned dollars to go toward keeping our communities safe and investing in law enforcement.”

“Maricopa County’s been under a court monitor for more than ten years—it’s not making anyone safer, it’s just wasting money and time. The Sheriff’s Office is doing the job right, but the goal posts keep moving and the scope keeps expanding—it’s totally unfair, and it’s time to end it once and for all,” said Maricopa County Supervisor Debbie Lesko.

“The people of Maricopa County deserve results, not endless federal micromanagement that drains taxpayer dollars,” said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “Over $350 million has been spent on court-ordered oversight of the Sheriff’s Office, with little to show for it except bureaucracy and frustration. That money could have gone toward putting more deputies on the street and strengthening public safety in our neighborhoods. I applaud Congressman Andy Biggs for leading this fight in Washington and standing up for local control and fiscal responsibility.”

Congressman Biggs’s letter may be read here.

The Post Millennial covered the letter here.