An independent audit found this week that the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office overstated the cost of court-ordered reforms by more than $160 million.

Why it matters: Local officials have long pointed to the court oversight — imposed after a racial-profiling case nearly 20 years ago — as a costly burden on taxpayers and a cautionary tale against other police reforms.

The big picture: Nearly 10 years after controversial former Sheriff Joe Arpaio was ousted from office, the legacy of his illegal immigration crackdowns continues to mar Maricopa County.

• Former Sheriff Paul Penzone, the Democrat who defeated Arpaio in 2016, and current Sheriff Jerry Sheridan, a Republican who served as Arpaio's chief deputy, inherited the court monitoring.

Catch up quick: In 2007, a group of Latino drivers and passengers successfully sued MCSO, alleging they were targeted by sheriff's deputies because of their skin color.

• After ruling that Arpaio and his agency had racially profiled and illegally detained Latinos in 2013, U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow mandated a series of reforms and appointed a monitor to ensure compliance.
• Both Arpaio and Penzone were found in contempt for failing to comply with the court's orders, spurring additional oversight of MCSO.

The latest: The audit, which Snow ordered last year to provide transparency, found that MCSO has vastly overstated the cost of complying with court orders related to the racial profiling case.

• About $163 million, or 72%, of the $226 million the sheriff's office claimed to have spent between 2014 and 2024 was not directly related to the court orders, per the report.

By the numbers: Auditors found myriad misattributed expenses, including:

• The full salaries of at least 70 employees who spent only a fraction of their time on duties related to court orders;
• $1.5 million in office renovations;
• $1.3 million for 42 new vehicles;
• $30,000 worth of car washes.

What they're saying: "This mischaracterization misleads the public on the cost of reform efforts, and calls into question MCSO's credibility, transparency, and truthfulness," auditors noted.

The other side: MCSO spokesperson Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez said in a statement that the department's attorneys are reviewing the report "to determine areas of common ground and any findings we may dispute."

• Maricopa County Board of Supervisors chair Thomas Galvin said in a statement that "the board has confidence in MCSO's budgeting team and will respond accordingly."

Go deeper

Columbus Day is the federal holiday on Monday, but what the state calls it — Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples Day or something else — varies.

The big picture: Arizona state law calls it Columbus Day.

Yes, but: City leaders in Phoenix and Tempe began observing Indigenous People's Day in 2023 instead.

Flashback: Native American advocates have pushed to get states to swap Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples' Day since the early 1990s.

• In 2021, President Biden became the first president to issue an official proclamation commemorating Indigenous People's Day.

It's now or never for the Phoenix Mercury.

The big picture: Tonight's game at Mortgage Matchup Center (tip-off at 5pm) is the Merc's last chance to turn the WNBA Finals series around.

• Phoenix is down 3-0 against the Las Vegas Aces in the best-of-seven series.

The intrigue: The Mercury were within spitting distance of victory in Games 1 and 3, keeping hope alive for a mid-series turnaround.

Yes, but: If the Mercury manage to pull off a win tonight, they'll head to Sin City, where they'll need two road victories to get back to Phoenix for a Game 7.

• Reality check: Stranger things have happened, but that's an awfully tall order.

What we're watching: Mercury forward Satou Sabally has been ruled out for tonight's game after sustaining a concussion on Wednesday.

• Sabally has been a breakout star of the Mercury's playoff run.

🥐 James Beard pastry chef nominee Crystal Kass has left Valentine and plans to open her own French-Mexican-influenced bakery. (AZcentral)

🏥 Cindy McCain, who currently heads the U.N. World Food Program, suffered a mild stroke earlier this week and is expected to make a full recovery. (AP)

🏈 Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray missed a second day of practice yesterday as he recovers from a foot injury. Meanwhile, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. said he has "full trust" in backup Jacoby Brissett. (Arizona Sports)

🛤️ The Surprise City Council unanimously opposed BNSF Railway Co.'s planned multibillion-dollar rail hub in nearby unincorporated Maricopa County. The proposal is expected to go before the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors next month. (Phoenix Business Journal)

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