PHOENIX — A federal monitor says the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office failed to properly vet a contractor hired to investigate internal misconduct cases, raising concerns about the agency’s oversight and its compliance with court-ordered reforms. A report unsealed Monday focuses on AZ TruthFinder, which the office hired last June to handle investigations when its Professional Standards Bureau had a conflict of interest. The monitor said the selection took about 30 minutes and the contract was finalized three days later. The report found no evidence of an interview, background check or meaningful reference review. The firm’s owner, former Gilbert police officer Stephanie Ameiss, did not list on her résumé six years as a lead investigator with Understanding the Threat, which the monitor’s report says posted hate speech. The report also noted her work for Cyber Ninjas, the company that promoted a debunked claim that the 2020 election was stolen. Raul Pina, a member of the court-appointed advisory board overseeing the Sheriff’s Office, said the hiring raised doubts about whether agency leaders had followed a legitimate vetting process. He said the reported actions conflicted with claims that the office had changed and warned that the case could strengthen the argument for continued federal monitoring. The county has paid AZ TruthFinder $270,000. In May, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve an additional $143,000 for the firm. Pina said supervisors should scrutinize agency spending if they are claiming fiscal responsibility. The Sheriff’s Office said it is reviewing the report and remains committed to complying fully and effectively with court orders. The monitor has asked that the matter go to the court’s independent investigator, who will determine whether a misconduct investigation is warranted. Federal oversight of the Sheriff’s Office stems from a court finding, more than a decade ago, that the agency under former Sheriff Joe Arpaio engaged in racial profiling. The office must clear a backlog of more than 200 internal affairs cases by Dec. 31 or could face a fine.