when i first read this yesterday i though it was just another chop shop. but reading this it could be that sheriff joe is up to his dirty tricks again. Original Article Tow firm fighting Arpaio charges Hires lawyers, assails politics Senta Scarborough and Justin Juozapavicius The Arizona Republic Apr. 2, 2005 12:00 AM Operators of a Mesa towing company have hired a team of attorneys as investigators combed through 200 boxes of documents seized Thursday from their businesses and homes by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in a complex fraud investigation. At least four attorneys experienced in white collar and criminal defense cases are defending Cactus Towing owner Lee Watkins and general manager Todd DeMasseo. "You don't sit on your hands and say, 'I'm a good guy and have been working in the community for a long time,' and trust in law enforcement," said attorney Kent Nicholas, who represents Cactus. Nicholas insists that the investigation is politically motivated. Watkins and DeMasseo supported W. Steven Martin last year in his failed bid for sheriff. Nicholas said the raid had "a tinge of retribution" from Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. But Arpaio said the investigation began Jan. 1 - after the November election - when his office received a tip. "This is not politically motivated. I will not be intimidated by politics or any other forces," Arpaio said. "We are going to continue this investigation no matter where it leads." Meanwhile, Nicholas said an affidavit listing the reasons for the raid is sealed, and he pledged to go to court to gain access. But Lt. Paul Chagolla said search warrants were provided at the four locations where deputies hauled off two truckloads of records. He added the affidavit is not made public until filed in court when the warrants are returned. Investigators said they have not sealed the affidavit and expect the search warrants to be returned next week. A source close to the investigation told The Republic this week that the case goes beyond insurance fraud and involves an auto-smuggling ring that sends cars to Mexico, chops them up, and brings the parts back to the United States for resale. Cactus attorneys said they know nothing of a car-theft ring, and Arpaio said auto theft was not yet part of the probe. Watkins, a controversial political and business figure in Arizona for years, has owned Cactus Towing for 18 years, turning it into one of the 10 busiest towing firms in the state. The state's prison construction chief under Gov. Evan Mecham in the 1980s, Watkins allegedly made a death threat to a former aide about to testify before a grand jury investigating the governor's finances. Watkins never was charged, but the incident was one of many factors that led to Mecham's impeachment in 1988. In August 1988, Watkins' wife, Pamela, accused him of attacking and choking her. In filing her petition for an order of protection, she accused him of physically and verbally abusing her at least 11 times, including attempting to run her over with his car. The couple reconciled the same month and no charges were filed. They divorced in 1996. Cactus has exclusive contracts with Mesa, Chandler and the Arizona Department of Public Safety's East Valley area, which includes portions of U.S. 60, Arizona 87 and Loops 101 and 202. Gilbert, which used Cactus on a rotation basis with other companies, stopped using the company pending the outcome of the investigation, Gilbert Lt. Joe Ruet said Friday. Some Valley tow companies said news of the Cactus raid gave the industry a "black eye." "Cactus Towing is the big guy, and everyone's always after the big guy," said Richard Thompson, owner of Valley Express Towing in Mesa. "I know them both and hope they haven't done anything illegal." Pete Colantoni, owner of B&B Wrecking Service and ATR Towing and Recovery in Phoenix and Tempe, said he was blind-sided by news of the raid. "I hope for their sake it's uneventful. You never know," Colantoni said. "I hope the allegations aren't true." Customers who showed up at the Cactus lot in Mesa on Friday couldn't retrieve their vehicles because tow records and receipts were seized, Nicholas said. "That is too bad if it causes some inconvenience," Arpaio said. "We have to investigate thoroughly and professionally."