Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio could be hit with a series of stiff fines and even face criminal charges depending on the outcome of court proceedings alleging that he disobeyed a judge's order in an ongoing racial profiling case.

Overall, Yahoo reports taxpayers in Maricopa County will have spent at least $125 million by next summer defending Arpaio against similar suits over his 22 years as sheriff, including $50 million in profiling cases and another $74 million in judgments, settlements, legal fees and lawsuits.

"At what level do we have to spend on the sheriff's actions before there is a huge outcry by the public?" asked Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo, one of Arpaio's harshest longtime critics and a member of the board that approves spending of tax dollars in the profiling case.

In recent years, Arpaio's political clout and perhaps even his overall popularity may have wavered, but not to the point of him being removed from office. During his 2012 election campaign, he spent $8 million and is already reported to have at least $2 million on hand for his upcoming 2016 run.

At the heart of this week's proceedings will be "Arpaio's acknowledged disobedience" in defying the court's order by withholding traffic-stop recordings requested as far back as in 2012. In addition, officers are also accused of pocketing IDs and other personal items seized from people targeted during stops and continuing to carry out immigration patrols for nearly two years after they were legally ordered to cease with such actions.

U.S. District Judge Murray Snow will oversee the proceedings, which could end with 83-year-old Arapio facing jail time.

Previously, the judge has indicated he would like to see potential penalties include Arpaio having to dig into his own pockets to pay off any fines imposed. County officials note they don't believe Arpaio has ever been forced to personally pay off any lawsuits naming him as a defendant or any legal costs incurred from the countless lawsuits filed against him.

Besides being the owner of commercial real estate valued at $2 million, Arpaio is reported to earn $100,000 per year as sheriff.