Vice President Biden meets with controversial sheriff Joe Arpaio

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden met privately with controversial Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio while visiting Phoenix on Monday, although details of the unannounced discussion have not been made public.

Biden who was in Phoenix today touting the successes of the Obama administrations economic stimulus plan was quick to point out to the small crowd gathered for a democratic fundraiser, that more than 2 million Arizonans have already received tax cuts as a result of the plan. Bidens meeting with the controversial County Sheriff, however, caught many by surprise. It is no secret that Arpaio, who refers to himself as the nations “toughest sheriff’ does not see eye to eye with the Obama administration on many issues, most notably, illegal immigration. Arpaios conduct, and that of his agency, have been repeatedly criticized by human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, and the American Civil Liberties Union. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Department is also under investigation for numerous civil rights violations. The investigation is being led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, headed by former Arizona governor Janet Napolitano. Arpaio, who has previously made headlines for housing Maricopa County jail inmates in outdoor tents during 110 degree plus temperatures, denies the charges, claiming bias.