Sheriff Arpaio Admits Civil Contempt; Raising Settlement Funds By Raising ISIS Alert?

On the same day the Maricopa County Sheriff and his Chief Deputy admitted to a federal judge that they are guilty of civil contempt for violating Court orders, and pledging at least $100,000 in personal funds, Joe Arpaio sent out a fundraising email asking whether supporters believe that ISIS terrorists are coming across the U.S.-Mexico border.

The jaw-dropping admission of contempt this afternoon is broken and well-covered by the Phoenix New Times.

The email hit supporters' inboxes this morning, with the subject line: "FLASH POLL: ISIS IN AMERICA?" The full email is reproduced below the jump.

Sheriff Arpaio asks the question, but then gives his readers the answer: "You see, everyone is talking about the threat that ISIS and Islamic terrorist pose overseas, but they most certainly pose a threat at home too. Make no mistake, those that are crossing our Southern Border illegally are not just coming from Mexico. They are coming from all over the world and using our Mexican border as their opportunity to enter the United States. " (emphasis in email)

Of course, answering the simplistic poll requires giving your email address and brings you to a donation page, for his re-election campaign. On that page, he estimates he will "have to raise at least 4 million dollars to have a fighting chance."

However, as of this past November, Arpaio's re-election campaign has raised $5.5 million dollars, and he has $2.1M in the bank.*  It is unclear whether contributors' dollars would be the funds that the Sheriff might use for a civil contempt settlement; Arpaio and his supporters have also sent out emails recently for a legal defense fund which may or may not be separate from the campaign fund, and which may or may not be used for the civil contempt settlement.

Friend, Are ISIS and radical Islamist terrorists coming across our southern border? I need your immediate response to this important question. You see, everyone is talking about the threat that ISIS and Islamic terrorist pose overseas, but they most certainly pose a threat at home too. Make no mistake, those that are crossing our Southern Border illegally are not just coming from Mexico. They are coming from all over the world and using our Mexican border as their opportunity to enter the United States. Friend, will you take my one question FLASH POLL by clicking HERE: I am prepared to take your answer, and that of millions other patriotic Americans to the highest levels of the US government. But I have to have your answer immediately. After you take the poll, I hope you will continue to stand strong with me by making a financial contribution to my re-election campaign. I can only continue fighting for you if I know I have your support. Please chip in at least $5 or even $50 to help me continue my fight to secure our borders. Thank you for your dedication and loyalty to our country. I share your commitment. - Sheriff Joe

Paid for by Elect Sheriff Joe Arpaio * Arpaio has two different campaign committees filing reports with the County. In addition to the one cited above, he has a committee that only has $25,090 in it.

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