O Arizona: "Wild West Style Standoff" Over Computer System Intensifies

Arizona sheriff prefers jail to handing over server password • The Register

A legal standoff has developed in Arizona between sheriff’s deputies and county officials over a management system overhaul.

Last week officers from Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office raided government buildings and took over computer systems shared between law enforcement and county officials.

Sysadmins were marshalled away under threat of arrest, while the deputies changed passwords on servers and secured rooms. County officials called in the judges for help, with superior court judge Joseph Heilman ordering control of the system to be handed over by next Wednesday.

However, Chief Deputy David Hendershott is holding firm, refusing to hand over the passwords even under threat of going to jail for contempt of court.

Heilman has held hearings on a dispute between the sheriff and the Board of Supervisors over the running of an integrated criminal justice system since April.

Kerry Martin, a lawyer acting for the sheriff’s office, said deputies had taken over the system to stop county managers applying a management system they disagreed with. Martin, repeatedly quizzed by judge Heilman on why it didn’t bring this aspect of the dispute back to court before acting, claimed that the deputies had the authority to take control.

The Wild-West–style standoff between sheriffs and county threatens local access to the National Criminal Information Center and the Arizona Criminal Justice Information system.

Technorati Tags: Arizona, Maricopa County, sheriff, computer, standoff

Powered by ScribeFire.

O Arizona: Sheriff Joe's Henchman Defies Judge

Sheriff's Office defies judge on order for system password

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge on Friday ordered that the Sheriff's Office divulge the password it forcefully installed on a county computer system linked to sensitive state and federal criminal-justice data.

But Chief Deputy David Hendershott later said he will refuse to share the password - even if it means he goes to jail.

During the Friday hearing, Judge Joseph Heilman said that if the Sheriff's Office doesn't divulge the password by Wednesday, he will "hold someone in contempt of court."

"I assume it's going to be someone seated at this table," he added, referring to Hendershott.

Hendershott said he could not reveal the password under federal law. And if he goes to jail: "I bet I get a pretty decent place. Something with a view of the dump."

Heilman would not comment on the remark.

Since April, Heilman has presided over a lawsuit between the sheriff and the Board of Supervisors over operation of the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System, an electronic hub that allows the county's criminal-justice agencies to share information.

On Wednesday, the Sheriff's Office took control of the system from county employees and changed a password to prevent civilians from having access to the sensitive data.

Technorati Tags: Arizona, Maricopa County, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, computers, raid, contempt of court

Powered by ScribeFire.

O Arizona: Sheriff Joe "Raids" and Commandeers County Computer System

Sheriff's Office explains why it took over county computers

A Maricopa County Sheriff's official said Thursday that his office's takeover of a county computer system
was prompted by repeated requests by the state to protect sensitive criminal-justice data.

Chief Deputy David Hendershott said the state Department of Public Safety was concerned that civilians could have inappropriate access to criminal-history records in the system.

The Sheriff's Office took control of the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System from county employees on Wednesday. The system links the county's criminal-justice agencies to state and national databases that hold criminal records, court dates, probation and personal information, and other records.

"We felt intrusion (into the system) was imminent," Hendershott said.

At a Superior Court hearing Thursday, the Board of Supervisors and county administrators tried to get a temporary restraining order against the Sheriff's Office and get the system back under their control. That hearing continues at 2:15 p.m. today.

The Sheriff's Office and the Board of Supervisors have been debating control of the system for months. In April, the Sheriff's Office filed a lawsuit in Superior Court over the system's management.

On Wednesday morning, 10 deputies and a sheriff's computer expert took control of some county computer equipment and changed a password. County officials characterized the action as a "raid."

But Kerry Martin, an attorney representing the Sheriff's Office, said deputies "did not go in and seize any equipment, no court records and no e-mails." Instead, they changed the password so sensitive criminal-justice information could be accessed only by law-enforcement officers with special clearance.

County officials say the Sheriff's Office overstepped its boundaries, especially given the lawsuit.

"There's just no justification imaginable for the . . . use of force that was put out, or the intimidation," said Wade Swanson, an attorney for the supervisors.

Technorati Tags: Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, computers, raid

Powered by ScribeFire.

O Arizona: Budget Vote Delayed Again; Absenteeism Part of the Problem

Senate Postpones Budget-Balancing Vote - Politics News Story - KPHO Phoenix

For the second time in a week, the Arizona Senate postponed a vote on a budget-balancing plan Tuesday because Republican leaders hadn't gathered enough support.

Leaders say the sticking point is a sales-tax increase proposed by GOP Gov. Jan Brewer. Another problem on Tuesday was that one-third of the 30-member Senate was absent from the Capitol. The Senate will reconvene on Friday.

Senate President Bob Burns, a Republican from Peoria, said he was trying to round up enough votes to pass the plan and noted that leaders may have to make unspecified changes to win approval.

The plan to close the state budget deficit, estimated at $3.2 billion to $3.4 billion, had cleared the House Friday morning.

It includes holding a Nov. 3 special election on a spending cap, new authority for lawmakers to ease voter-approved spending mandates and Brewer's proposal for a sales-tax increase.

Powered by ScribeFire.

O Arizona: Senate Majority Whip Quits over Taxes

AZ Senate Majority Whip Quits - Politics News Story - KPHO Phoenix

Arizona State Senate Majority Whip Pamela Gorman, R-Anthem, is stepping down from her position, citing differences in opinion on taxes and spending, she announced in an e-mail to CBS 5 News on Tuesday.

"I simply cannot support Senate leadership's position on the sales tax and the budget when I continue to believe that raising taxes in a recession is the wrong thing to do," she wrote in an e-mail sent to Senate president Bob Burns.

Powered by ScribeFire.

O Arizona: The Budget--Get Up to Speed

After weeks of bitter debate, Governor Jan Brewer and Ariz. Sen. President Leader Bob Burns and House Speaker Kirk Adams agreed to a deal on the budget early Friday morning.

They agreed to about $600 million in spending cuts to the state's 2010 budget.

The agreement also puts a controversial proposal to increase the state's sales tax by one cent on the dollar on the November ballot. It would change the state's income tax to a 3 percent flat tax on every Arizona resident, regardless of income.

With the June 30 budget deadline looming, lawmakers tried to get up to speed on the proposal.

link: Arizona Leaders Closer To Budget Deal - Phoenix News Story - KPHO Phoenix