Tucson News NowBabeu denies threat, admits he's gay, leaves Romney campaign

Babeu denies threat, admits he's gay, leaves Romney campaign

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Posted by James Bennett - email
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu

By Angelina Bravo / Tucson News Now Intern

FLORENCE, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu on Saturday denied allegations he made threats against a man claiming to be his ex-lover.

Nevertheless, Babeu resigned as presidential candidate Mitt Romney's Arizona campaign co-chairman.

During a press conference outside the Pinal sheriff's office, the Republican congressional candidate admitted he was gay in response to an investigative report Friday by the Phoenix New Times and an article published Saturday by The Arizona Republic.

"All these allegations that were in one of the newspapers are absolutely and completely false, except for the issue about me being gay cause that's the truth; I am gay," Babeu said.

Babeu denied he threatened the man, who has been identified only as "Jose," with deportation. The man's attorney told the New Times he was threatened with deportation if he revealed his relationship with the sheriff.

"In regard to Jose, there was a personal relationship and separate and apart from that, he was a volunteer for my political campaign," said Babeu, a first-term sheriff who rose to prominence because of his vocal opposition to illegal immigration.

"This idea of deportation was never an issue, I do not have the authority to deport anybody, I have the authority to enforce laws or make an arrest."

The man's lawyer, Melissa Weiss-Riner, released a statement Saturday, saying the man retained her firm's services because he was contacted by Babeu's attorney and "felt intimidated."

"Jose continues to live in fear, and is currently in the process of moving again," she said. "Therefore, he is not available to speak with the media at this time."

The New Times, a Phoenix alternative weekly newspaper, published explicit photos of Babeu, one of him with "Jose" and one of Babeu in his underwear.

"I'm not here to deny any of that," Babeu said of the pictures. "The photos were meant only for their (Jose's) observation.

"I'm not disowning or lying about anything," he added. "What I do in my private and personal life is my personal business. These are things that I choose to do, this should have no business for headline news."

The stories forced Babeu to admit publicly he was gay.

"It's very difficult and liberating at the same time. – Is this a difficult moment for me? No question, it is," he said.

Babeu said he resigned as Republican presidential candidate Romney's Arizona co-chairman with no pressure. Arizona's GOP primary is Feb. 28.

"Sheriff Babeu has stepped down from his volunteer position with the campaign so he can focus on the allegations against him. We support his decision," the Romney campaign said in a statement Saturday.

Babeu said he would not resign as sheriff or pull out of the new Fourth Congressional District race.

"I've sworn an oath for a four-year term, and I am so honored," he said of his job as sheriff.

"I'm going to actively campaign for Congress, and I intend to continue to earn trust of people talking about real issues," he said.

Babeu will face U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar and state Sen. Ron Gould in the Republican primary. The congressional district includes northern Pinal County, parts of Phoenix, Prescott and western Arizona.

Copyright 2012 Tucson News Now.  All rights reserved.

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