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Joe Arpaio Seeks $147.5 Million From New York Times In Libel Suit

In a complaint filed on Tuesday night, former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is suing the New York Times for libel.

Court documents showed that Arpaio is seeking $147.5 million in compensatory and punitive damages. He stated that an opinion piece about him was “carefully and maliciously calculated to damage and injure” his name within the law enforcement community. 

Arpaio also mentioned that the article consisted of false assertions, which could hurt his standing among Republican donors.


In an attempt to replace outgoing Senator Jeff Flake, 86-year-old Arpaio ran for U.S. Senate in this year’s GOP primary.

Michelle Cottle, an editorial board member, was also named in the suit.

Political news website Politico reported that a New York Times spokeswoman said in an email: “We intend to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.”

Having served for 24 years as sheriff, Arpaio lost a bid for his seventh-straight term in the 2016 general election. Democrat Paul Penzone took over the role of sheriff.

Since 2016, Arpaio was pardoned by President Donald Trump of contempt charges brought against him by the Justice Department.

In July 2017, Arpaio was found guilty of purposefully ignoring a federal judge’s order to end his immigration patrols.

A month later, Trump pardoned him of the misdemeanor conviction shortly before sentencing.

Arpaio has also filed an appeal on the ruling that refused to expunge his criminal record.