Sheriff Joe Arpaio recall update: Group seeking recall faces fundraising troubles

PHOENIX - A group seeking a recall election against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says it's facing difficulties in raising money in its bid to oust the lawman.

Recall leader William James Fisher says the difficulties mean organizers will have to rely more on volunteers rather than paid professionals to gather signatures from voters in their bid to force a recall election.

He says the group is keeping some paid signature gatherers and may add more paid gatherers if the volume of signatures declines significantly.

Recall organizers say they have gathered nearly 150,000 of the more than 335,000 valid signatures required by May 30 to prompt a recall election.

Arpaio critics say the sheriff has put immigration enforcement above other police priorities, while the sheriff's supporters contend the effort is unconstitutional.

Arpaio supporters have threatened to sue to stop the recall effort.

Larry Klayman, a lawyer representing Arpaio supporters, says the group had planned to file its legal action Tuesday but now plans to do so Thursday.