Arpaio giving 'Cold Case Posse' documents to investigate authenticity of Obama's birth certificate

PHOENIX - Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says his five-member "Cold Case Posse" is investigating the authenticity of President Barack Obama’s birth certificate.

A spokesperson says Arpaio is turning over documents he's received from unnamed sources pertaining to the president's birth certificate to the posse for them to investigate.

Questions on the authenticity of the president’s birth certificate have been largely abandoned by his political opponents, but a recent survey of registered Republicans in South Carolina indicated 65 percent either do not believe Obama was born in the U.S. or are not sure.

Arpaio says he’s just doing his duty by handing off the documents and information he’s received pertaining to the president’s birth certificate to the volunteer squad for investigation.

Arpaio told World Net Daily , "When I get allegations brought to me by the citizens of Maricopa County, I look into the allegations, just like I am doing here."

Spokesperson Lisa Allen tells ABC15 MCSO is not conducting any investigation.

She says the “Cold Case Posse” is an all-volunteer group of people with law enforcement experience.

According to Allen, it is one of 55 volunteer citizen groups helping Arpaio.

Allen says their work is paid for by private donations, not taxpayers.

There are over 3,000 people participating in his office’s volunteer posse program, Arpaio says.

According to MCSO's website , in order to join the posse program, a person must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, have a valid Arizona driver's license and be in good health.

Applicants for Arpaio's posses have to complete this application form .

His spokesperson insists no county resources or taxpayers' funds are being used for the investigation of Obama's birth certificate.

Read the full story from World Net Daily.