Joe Arpaio may have been pardoned, but he’s still on the run from the court of public opinion.
A conservative group called Citizen Outreach plans a Las Vegas dinner honoring Arpaio — but is keeping the venue secret.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that the original dinner site — the Tropicana hotel — was dropped after police raised “possible concerns” about Saturday’s event, where the former Maricopa County sheriff was to get the Courage Under Fire award.
Police worried Arpaio’s appearance — on Mexican Independence Day — could be the spark to ignite violent protests, Chuck Muth, president of Citizen Outreach, told the paper.
“Muth would not say where the event will be or whether the former sheriff will attend. ‘I’m not going to tell them (protesters) Arpaio’s going to be there or not,” Muth said.
In a blog post over the weekend, Muth wrote that he’s committed to finding a way, “even if it means renting some tents and holding a BBQ in my own backyard!”
On Monday he said he has a new site, but has no plans to reveal the location.
“We’re not telling anyone where that is,” Muth said.