Authorities investigate letter sent to Sheriff Joe

The sheriff says the letter told Obama to "resign or die," had a forged signature

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Associated Press

PHOENIX — Authorities are investigating an envelope containing white powder that was directed to President Barack Obama and listed a controversial Arizona sheriff as the sender.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio (ar-PIE'-oh) says he found the letter Saturday and brought it to his office for investigators to examine Monday. He says the letter never got to the White House, arriving instead at Arpaio's home in the Phoenix suburb of Fountain Hills.

The sheriff says the letter told Obama to "resign or die," had a forged Arpaio signature and claims that the substance is anthrax.

Authorities are awaiting tests of the substance.

Arpaio is under scrutiny for his anti-illegal immigration tactics. He has said a federal probe of his office was politically motivated.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press