PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's new top federal prosecutor has recused himself from a criminal abuse-of-power investigation of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office.
U.S. Attorney John Leonardo tells radio station KJZZ (http://bit.ly/OwwWwS) that he won't take part in the probe and that a senior prosecutor in his office will instead take the lead.
Federal authorities are examining the investigative work of the sheriff's anti-public corruption squad.
In his previous job as a judge, Leonardo dismissed charges against a Maricopa County official who was investigated by Arpaio's office.
Leonardo ruled the prosecutor who filed the case had a conflict of interest in retaliating against officials for actions they allegedly took against him.
Leonardo said in his ruling that Arpaio misused his power.
Arpaio's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday morning.
