Arizona county rejects funds for Obama birth probe [View all]

[steve2470]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-20/arizona-obama-birth-probe/55720634/1

PHOENIX – The Maricopa County (Ariz.) Board of Supervisors on Wednesday rejected $5,000 in private donations intended to help cover travel expenses for the sheriff's cold-case posse as it investigated President Obama's birth certificate.

Supervisors split their votes after a heated discussion over the use of public funds and whether to accept private donations for the sheriff's investigations in the so-called "birther probe." The vote was 2-2. One supervisor was absent.

In May, Sheriff Joe Arpaio sent a volunteer cold-case posse member to Hawaii to investigate documents pertaining to Obama's birthplace and citizenship. He also sent a taxpayer-funded deputy, citing "security" issues.

Deputy Chief David Trombi, who oversees the sheriff's patrol resource bureau, explained that the final cost for the sheriff's deputy has yet to be determined. But he said the $5,000 donation would cover the deputy's travel expenses and "a good portion" of his hourly wages. There also may be overtime charges, he said.