The U-S Department of Justice has dropped its criminal investigation into Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and other high-ranking county officials.

PETER O'DOWD: The Justice Department was investigating Arpaio for his role in failed public corruption cases against county officials who were at odds with him. On Friday, the US attorney's office in Phoenix said it was shutting down that investigation without filing any charges.

The probe was looking into multiple issues, including abuse of power by other top-ranking county officials. That case involved perjury allegations against former County Attorney Andrew Thomas -- and deputy attorney Lisa Aubuchon -- during their failed prosecution of a superior court judge. Thomas was later disbarred over the matter.

The D-O-J says this investigation is separate from a civil rights investigation into the sheriff's office over alleged racial profiling. A federal court decision is also pending in a class-action lawsuit brought against Arpaio by a group of Latinos.