The chief financial officer for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has been summoned to appear this week before a federal grand jury that's examining whether Sheriff Joe Arpaio and others on his staff abused their power.
Loretta Barkell, who manages the sheriff's $271 million budget, said Monday the FBI asked her to appear at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the federal courthouse in downtown Phoenix.
Barkell said she was issued a subpoena on Dec. 18.
Barkell will be at least the third Maricopa County employee testifying that day as County Manager David Smith and Deputy County Manager Sandi Wilson are slated to give their testimony that morning.
Barkell has worked nine years for the sheriff.
Arpaio last week denied knowledge of the grand jury, but Barkell said she told the sheriff and Chief Deputy David Hendershott about the subpoena right after she received it. She said both men told her to tell the truth. Barkell said she has not been told what kind of questions the U.S. Attorney will ask.
Federal grand juries are composed of local residents who meet once a month to hear testimony and determine if there is enough evidence to hold a trial. The proceedings are secret. Witnesses are free to say if they have been subpoenaed.
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