Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller’s office escalated its war with the Board of Supervisors this morning, accusing county leaders of pursuing “frivolous legal actions” and wasting taxpayer money as the board prepared to take up new conflict-related items involving his office.

In a press release issued by Miller spokesperson Christy Kelly, the county attorney’s office said the April 22 board agenda was packed with actions targeting PCAO instead of public safety priorities. The release said the board has authorized and spent about $257,000 on outside legal counsel tied to the disputes and argued that money is being diverted from the work residents expect county government to do.

“It is unfortunate that today’s Board of Supervisors agenda is filled with what can only be described as frivolous legal actions targeting the County Attorney’s Office, the very office the voters of Pinal County elected to enforce the law and protect public safety,” the release said.

The broadside came as supervisors scheduled two executive-session discussions directly tied to Miller and his office. One agenda item concerns a possible conflict between the board and the County Attorney’s Office over the office’s ethical obligations, legal representation of the county and statements made by Miller about supervisors. Another focuses on the authority, if any, of PCAO investigators who are Arizona POST certified and whether any law-enforcement powers they exercise fall within the statutory role of the county attorney’s office. The agenda also includes follow-up action items on whether the board believes conflicts exist on both issues.

Wednesday’s exchange is the latest front in a months-long legal and political battle that began after Miller signed a 287(g) task force agreement with federal immigration authorities without board approval. Supervisors sued in January to block the deal, arguing only the board can bind the county to such an agreement and that immigration enforcement authority belongs to the sheriff, not the county attorney. A Pinal County judge temporarily froze the agreement in February, and the case was later transferred to Maricopa County Superior Court.

That lawsuit remains active. Miller moved last month to dismiss the case, calling it meritless. The county responded by urging the court to reject that request and issue a preliminary injunction, arguing Miller still has not identified any law allowing him to sign the agreement on the county’s behalf. A hearing on both the county’s request for an injunction and Miller’s motion to dismiss is set for May 15 in Maricopa County Superior Court. County officials have also said Miller agreed not to engage in ICE activity beyond information sharing while the case is pending.

The $257,000 figure cited in Wednesday’s release matches a cost breakdown previously discussed publicly by board leaders. In an April 3 county post about the litigation, Chairman Jeffrey McClure said outside attorney costs had reached about $66,000 for the 287(g) dispute and about $191,000 for separate matters involving alleged employment-law and county-policy violations, for a combined total of roughly $257,000.

Miller’s office used the release to argue the board’s focus is misplaced.

“The Pinal County Attorney’s Office remains focused where it belongs: holding violent offenders accountable, supporting victims, and keeping our communities safe,” the release said.

The statement also touted the office’s recent performance, saying prosecutors secured more than $1 million in restitution for victims last year while aggressively pursuing cases involving violent offenders. The release did not provide backup documentation for that figure, but it framed the office’s work as evidence that Miller’s priorities remain unchanged despite the legal fight.

“We did not start this fight, but we will finish it where it belongs: in a courtroom, based on the law and the facts,” the release said.

For now, that courtroom remains in Phoenix, where the dispute over Miller’s ICE deal, his office’s powers and its relationship with the board is still building toward a May hearing that could shape the next phase of one of the county’s most volatile political and legal showdowns in years.

Read Kelly’s full press release:

It is unfortunate that today’s Board of Supervisors agenda is filled with what can only be described as frivolous legal actions targeting the County Attorney’s Office, the very office the voters of Pinal County elected to enforce the law and protect public safety.

These continued efforts have come at a cost. To date, the Board has authorized and spent approximately $257,000 in taxpayer-funded outside legal counsel fees tied to these ongoing disputes.

At a time when residents expect their government to prioritize safety, accountability, and results, this diversion of public funds raises serious concerns about the Board’s priorities.

The Pinal County Attorney’s Office remains focused where it belongs: holding violent offenders accountable, supporting victims, and keeping our communities safe. Last year alone, our office helped secure over one million dollars in restitution for victims while aggressively prosecuting those who threaten public safety.

We did not start this fight, but we will finish it where it belongs: in a courtroom, based on the law and the facts.

The people of Pinal County did not elect us to argue with politicians. They elected us to enforce the law. And that is exactly what we are doing while the Board of Supervisors spends your money trying to stop it.