Feds not answering questions about closing their investigation on Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio

PHOENIX - ABC15 is trying to learn why the U.S. Attorney's office decided to close their investigation into Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

The Department of Justice said on Friday they were ending their investigation into allegations of criminal conduct by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and the County's Attorney's office. The release came out Friday at 5:00 p.m., just before the long holiday weekend.

ABC15 wanted to find out why they released their decision when they did, and why they won't answer any questions on such a high profile case.  

While the County Attorney's office didn't return any of our phone calls, they did respond by email saying they had no further comment.

We asked former U.S. Attorney Paul Charlton about the decision.

"The DOJ's policy is to not get in the middle of any contested election. And if you release too much information on the Arpaio decision, you could become involved in a conversation, giving both sides ammunition. That's what the U.S. Attorney's office wants to avoid," said Charlton.

In addition, the U.S. Attorney's office rarely gives reasons on the cases they decide not to prosecute, unless they are high profile.

Charlton tells us the earliest we'd be able to get any questions answered would be after the November election.