A group trying to oust Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is again relying on only volunteers to gather signatures in a bid to force a recall election against the sheriff.
A group trying to oust Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is again relying on only volunteers to gather signatures in a bid to force a recall election against the sheriff.
The confrontation underscores the feisty ground campaign being mounted on both sides - but also the increasing difficulty that Arpaio critics face in getting enough signatures to put a recall before voters.
Volunteers set up a table outside a music festival one day last month to gather signatures for a drive to oust the notoriously polarizing sheriff of metropolitan Phoenix. The venue, with its largely liberal crowd, seemed the perfect place to drum up support.
PHOENIX -
He's used to catching criminals, not being a victim. The self-proclaimed toughest sheriff in America has had his credit card number ripped off. Sheriff Joe Arpaio's credit card number appears to have been stolen.
The sheriff says he got a call from his credit card company about some strange charges in Chicago. He says he hasn't been to Chicago in years.
"Last time I was in Chicago was when I was a young federal agent and married my wife in 1957. I don't think they had credit cards way back."
These days, the sheriff says he uses his Discover card all the time.
"I could have gone into any restaurant here and used my card and someone could have skimmed it. Took the number and used it in Chicago," said Arpaio.
The $291 charge was incurred at a grocery store in Chicago. The credit card company thought it was odd and alerted the sheriff Sunday.
"I am not the only victim. I am sure that many many more victims are out there."
Across the country, credit card fraud happens every day. It can be as simple as someone digging through the trash and writing down the numbers -- or as high tech as hacking into online accounts and selling the card numbers to other thieves.
Every year, it costs consumers and the credit card industry billions.
"I am just happy that this has been stopped before is goes too far," said Arpaio.
Catching whoever did this won't be easy, but they won't be able to the sheriff's card anymore because it's been canceled.
"I hope it wasn't my infamous name that drew this attention. And if they did know the name maybe they should have thought twice about ripping off the sheriff."
Like most victims of credit card fraud, the sheriff will not be responsible for the charges.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:11:43 GMT
Police says a gay man was shot and killed in Greenwich Village after a man with a gun shouted homophobic slurs at him early Saturday morning. According to authorities, the 32-year-old victim was shot
Police says a gay man was shot and killed in Greenwich Village after a man with a gun shouted homophobic slurs at him early Saturday morning. According to authorities, the 32-year-old victim was shot
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:52 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:52:21 GMT
Nassau County police have identified the career criminal who allegedly shot and killed a Hofstra University student in a home invasion robbery early Friday morning.
Nassau County police have identified the career criminal who allegedly shot and killed a Hofstra University student in a home invasion robbery early Friday morning.
Saturday, May 18 2013 4:03 PM EDT2013-05-18 20:03:41 GMT
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:49 AM EDT2013-05-18 11:49:20 GMT
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
Friday, May 17 2013 9:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:12:56 GMT
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:53:52 GMT
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
Friday, May 17 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:28:27 GMT
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:54 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:54:45 GMT
The big game will be played in New Jersey but the big party will be in New York City. Organizers call it "Super Bowl Boulevard."
The big game will be played in New Jersey but the big party will be in New York City. Organizers call it "Super Bowl Boulevard": it will stretch from 44th Street on Broadway all the way to 34th Street.
