PHOENIX — Maricopa County supervisors have approved the county's $775,000 settlement with a Chandler police officer who accused Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in a lawsuit of violating his rights by arresting him after the officer's police dog died.
Sgt. Tom Lovejoy settled his case against Arpaio on April 13, but the settlement had to be finalized by county officials.
Arpaio argued that Lovejoy lacks evidence connecting the sheriff to Lovejoy's arrest.
Lovejoy was charged with animal abuse in the August 2007 death of his police dog.
The dog died from excessive heat after being left in a hot police vehicle for 12 hours.
Lovejoy was acquitted of a misdemeanor charge and accused Arpaio of trumping up the criminal case so the sheriff could exploit the publicity.
Arpaio argued that Lovejoy lacks evidence connecting the sheriff to Lovejoy's arrest.