Maricopa County treasurer trying to block settlement payment to county supervisor

May 18, 2012

The Maricopa County Treasurer is trying to block a near-million-dollar payment to Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox. A federal court ordered the payment last week, but County Treasurer Charles Hoskins wants to know if he should have a say in the matter. 

Wilcox had sued Maricopa County and Sheriff Joe Arpaio over bungled investigations that she claimed were political retribution. A financial settlement was reached several weeks ago through mediation. A federal court approved the $975,000 settlement last week.

Hoskins filed a motion in federal court Friday morning asking the court to clarify his role in the settlement. He says state law requires the county treasurer to sign off on any claim submitted by a county supervisor. Hoskins says he wants to make sure he’s following the law. 

Wilcox’s attorney says the state law Hoskins cites only applies to expense accounts and not legal settlements.