The Republic fired two shots across the bow of Joe Arpaio over the weekend.

The first contains the incredible contention that the country sheriff’s office leases cars to get to and from work for more than fifty deputies, including Arpaio himself. Maricopa is a large county and perks for the top officials might be warranted, but fifty seems extreme. The charges seem to average close to $800 a month per vehicle:

The office will lease 53 vehicles – mostly expensive new sedans, trucks and sport-utility vehicles – at a cost of more than $500,000 this fiscal year, which began July 1. During this time, more than 1,000 deputies and civilian employees are being forced to take seven unpaid furlough days to help balance the department’s budget.

The story doesn’t really dwell on the inappropriateness of so many people getting the perk. The reporters, Craig Harris and JJ Hensley, focus on where Arpaio gets the $500K from:

The money comes from cash and assets seized primarily during drug investigations. Under the state and federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, police agencies and prosecutors can keep confiscated cash and sell assets for money to be used for gang prevention, substance-abuse education and fighting numerous crimes.

Although there are guidelines, law-enforcement agencies have wide discretion in spending the money, and there is little oversight.

The second story detailed how an exec at the car-leasing company Arpaio uses has been a donor to his campaigns, as have members of her family:

Shirley Garner, in charge of leasing vehicles to the Sheriff’s Office, donated $390, the maximum amount, to his re-election campaign last year, records show. Through one of her other companies, $1,500 was donated to a political-action committee that supported Arpaio but is now under criminal investigation.

The story says her husband has donated to Arpaio as well.