Lawyer: Arizona Sheriff Is Cooperating With Probe

Associated Press: A lawyer for an Arizona sheriff known for his efforts against illegal immigrants said Thursday that the U.S. Justice Department's threat to sue over records for its civil rights investigation is premature because his client is willing to cooperate with certain elements of the probe. Earlier this week, the department gave Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office until Aug. 17 to turn over documents first requested last year. The Justice Department has been investigating Arpaio's office since March 2009 for alleged discrimination, unconstitutional searches and seizures, and having an English-only policy in his jails that discriminates against people with limited English skills. Arpaio believes the inquiry is focused on his immigration efforts.