David Hendershott, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's right-hand man, has resigned as chief deputy, but Arpaio on Wednesday continued to withhold details of the internal investigation into allegations of misconduct that led to his departure.

Arpaio on Wednesday accepted Hendershott's immediate resignation. He also accepted Deputy Chief Larry Black's resignation effective May 3. Both men were told they would otherwise be fired.



Hendershott's retirement letter | Response

Black's resignation letter

Hendershott's departure marks a turning point in the six-month investigation into allegations of abuse of power, nepotism, intimidation and policy violations by top agency officials. The allegations were made by another top officer in September, and the resignations are the first tangible sign that there was substance to at least some of them.

The findings of the probe, led by Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, not only resulted in Wednesday's resignations, but led Babeu to recommend policy changes in Arpaio's agency, Babeu told The Arizona Republic and 12 News on Wednesday.

Hendershott declined to comment.

In a defiant yet sentimental letter to his longtime boss, however, Hendershott told Arpaio he questioned the credibility of the investigation. He commended Arpaio on his leadership and bemoaned the negative publicity the investigation has brought to the Sheriff's Office.

"The report by Sheriff Babeu and the outside investigation company is unfortunately littered with hundred of flaws, misstates facts and ignores motives and conflicts. I wholeheartedly do not agree with the sustained findings in the investigation. . . . My biggest regret will be that I no longer will work with you. You are a gentleman that is wise, cunning and probably the most honest and dedicated politician I have ever know(n)."

Babeu stood by the probe's findings Wednesday but declined to discuss details pending permission from attorneys.

"Obviously, his criticism about the report is expected," Babeu said. "He fully expected to return back to work. This involves the highest levels of command. The last thing I would do is compromise an investigation for anybody - our integrity is on the line."

Scapegoat for sheriff?

David Berman, a research fellow at Arizona State University's Morrison Institute for Public Policy, suggested Hendershott's resignation provided a political "scapegoat for Arpaio after years of headlines about failed investigations into public officials.

"He's been the focal point of a lot of bad attention," Berman said. "And he's found a scapegoat here. He can say, 'I was badly served by this fellow.' It's sort of blame-shifting, but at the same time, taking charge, and showing you've seen the errors of surrounding yourself with the wrong people."

Arpaio would not answer detailed questions about Babeu's probe, nor would he release Babeu's 1,022-page report until Black and Hendershott have had reasonable time to review it. The Arizona Republic and 12 News on Tuesday filed a special action in Superior Court asking a judge to order its public release.

Last week, after receiving the findings of Babeu's investigation, Arpaio's office sent Hendershott and Black letters saying they would be terminated effective May 5. On Tuesday night, Hendershott e-mailed what he termed a retirement notice to County Attorney Bill Montgomery, asking that it be effective May 4. Arpaio's office responded Wednesday by accepting his "immediate resignation" and retirement. It also shortened Black's employment to May 3.

The employment status of a third sheriff's employee, Capt. Joel Fox, remained unclear, although a sheriff's official said Fox was notified that Babeu's investigation found policy violations. Those violations could draw punishments ranging from suspension to termination.

Memo set off inquiry

Babeu's investigation was triggered by a 63-page internal memo written by Deputy Chief Frank Munnell. That memo detailed questionable behavior among sheriff's employees and said Hendershott's conduct jeopardized the stability of Arpaio's agency. Munnell alleged that Hendershott pressured subordinates on a corruption task force to write a questionable search warrant, and then threatened to "machine gun" them if they refused.

Munnell also asserted that Hendershott retaliated against those who acted against him and protected those who remained loyal. He said Arpaio had yielded day-to-day operations of the Sheriff's Office to Hendershott, who used the position to get what he wanted through intimidation.

Babeu said in an interview that a team of investigators worked over six months to substantiate claims from those who witnessed events. Some of Munnell's allegations were true, some were not.

"We had to get firsthand accounts, not just somebody's opinion or what they heard," Babeu said. "We had to get to the crux of 'Where did this come from? Did this really happen?' Some of them never happened, and some actually did happen and were quite alarming."

Babeu said his investigation focused solely on administrative policies. It did not concentrate on criminal allegations, though he said parts of his investigation could be used by other law-enforcement agencies for criminal prosecution, if warranted.

"Any number of these allegations alone would trigger termination," he said, adding that the findings are "substantial, and it's the fact that these people were put in great positions of authority and trust, and they abused that trust."

Babeu said he recommended Hendershott and Black immediately be fired. It is unclear which accusations led to their departures.

Babeu would not answer questions about his recommendation for Fox, because Fox is protected by county merit rules. Babeu would only say, "There needs to be a complete reorganization."

Babeu said he attended direct examinations of the three men in question, and characterized their demeanor as sometimes defensive and emotional.

Hendershott was often depicted as the architect of Arpaio's policies and failed political-corruption investigations, and the cause of much discord epitomizing county government in recent years.

The U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI also are examining allegations of abuse of power by the Sheriff's Office and former County Attorney Andrew Thomas' office, and Hendershott's role in them. Hendershott's finances also have come under scrutiny by the Internal Revenue Service, which has conducted interviews with federal agents.

Separately, Hendershott has been named personally and professionally in various lawsuits and notices of claim by judges and other county officials. They seek tens of millions of dollars as compensation for damages stemming from failed investigations.

In turn, Hendershott has filed a $14 million claim against the county, claiming loss of professional reputation and future earnings as a result of the legal fallout from the feuding among county officials.