There's nothing more threatening in a democratic society than prosecutors or law enforcement using their powers for political purposes or to settle personal scores. That is what the US Attorney firing scandal of 2007 was about after all. And now we seem to have a related case.

You may know of Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the colorful and high-profile Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, best known for his hardline stance on illegal immigration. Early last month we told you about Arpaio's and a political ally's effort to import DC TV lawyer power couple Joe diGenova and Victoria Toensing as "special prosecutors" for what appeared to be a fairly transparent hit against one of Arpaio's local GOP political opponents.

That effort eventually got shut down by County officials. But now come reports that the FBI is investigating Arpaio for multiple instances of using his authority as Sheriff to retaliate against political enemies.

Special bonus: two of the fired US Attorneys from 2007 are involved in the case. One, Paul Charlton is defending one of Arpaio's seeming persecutees and another, David Iglesias gave a local paper his opinion on the case and for his trouble received a blistering attack from Arpaio himself.

Read our report here -- important story.

Late Update: David Iglesias responds to the Arpaio attack. --dk