PHOENIX -- Sheriff Joe Arpaio addressed recent cuts to the department's illegal immigration enforcement fund, calling it "dirty politics" and "a total sham".

Political fight over funding

azfamily.com

RAW: Sheriff Joe answers questions, gets riled up
UNCUT: Complete press conference
LINK: Read Sheriff's Speech
LINK: Read Governor's order

Arpaio says that a $1 million dollar grant approved for the department's illegal immigration enforcement measures on May 7th was denied days later due to an executive order issued by Governor Naptolitano creating a task force within the Department of Public Safety to go after the nearly 60,000 outstanding felony warrants in Arizona. The $1.6 million dollars needed to create the task force will in part come from the grant money that Arpaio says was approved for his department's use.

"These people conspired to take away over one million dollars...money my office needs to fight illegal immigration," Arpaio said.

The executive order issued by Napolitano claims that of the 58,897 outstanding warrants, 41,904 are in Maricopa County. The Department of Public Safety is named to lead the statewide multi-jurisdictional effort to serve on the outstanding warrants.

Arpaio claims that the move is in response to his crime sweeps. The Sheriff says he will continue the controversial sweeps despite the cut in funding.

"I still got a gun and badge, I'm still the sheriff," Arpaio said. "We will continue - and Mesa, you're next"