Paul Babeu, Arizona Sheriff, Allegedly Threatened Gay Mexican Ex-Lover With Deportation (VIDEO)

One of Arizona's rising Republican stars is facing allegations he threatened to deport a Mexican resident who claims to have been his gay ex-lover.

The Phoenix New Times is reporting that Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, who has become one of the faces of the anti-illegal immigration fight in Arizona and nationwide, threatened a 34-year-old man identified only as Jose with deportation if he disclosed details of their years-long affair. Jose had previously been asked to sign paperwork that he would never breathe a word about the affair.

According to Jose's immigration attorney, Babeu's lawyer falsely claimed the central Mexico resident's visa paperwork had expired. "He did come in and retain me late last year based on threats and intimidation, and he wanted an attorney to help protect him,'' Melissa Weiss-Riner told the Arizona Republic.

The New Times and local Fox News affiliate KSAZ also published photos which appear to be of a barechested Babeu, which had been uploaded to a profile allegedly belonging to the sheriff on the gay dating website Adam4Adam.com.

Though he acknowledged Jose was a volunteer who helped on his first campaign for sheriff in 2008, Babeu -- who is currently running for Congress in his home state -- declined to respond to questions about whether the pair had a romantic relationship, saying he would not discuss his personal life, according to the Arizona Republic. When pressed for a comment by KSAZ, Babeu's attorney nonetheless slammed the allegations against his client: "He believes he'll be judged by his record as a 20-year veteran of the United States Armed Forces, police officer who has saved two lives in the line of duty and responded to thousands of emergencies, and Iraq war veteran."

Babeu subsequently released a statement, noting, "The allegations referred to an incident that occurred on Sept. 6, 2011, when the campaign’s website, Twitter account, and online financial transaction system were illegally hacked...a cease and desist letter was sent to the suspected perpetrator who promptly returned access to the campaign. We strongly deny the sensationalist headline published by the Phoenix New Times."

UPDATE: Talking Points Memo reports Babeu is now stepping down from his role as Arizona co-chair of the Mitt Romney for President campaign. A Romney spokesperson told TPM, "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."

Check out some other gay political scandals below:

Comments

[Jff Campbell]

11:14 PM on 03/18/2012

Republicans compartmentalize SO well font they?

[Happy2BHappy]

03:11 PM on 02/21/2012

What does being gay have to do with this situation? If his lover never became an ex to the Sherriff he would have never posted this non sense on the internet in the first place. The sheriff always ended their dates with this guy at the hotel room. He never took their relationship serious. If this situation would have happened to a women.. everyone would just say she was psychotic because of her actions. Paul Babeu's ex is psycho too. Why is he going to expose this story but also cover up his face and name? Hes not a child but a grown man who got his feelings hurt when he was told to hit the road. If the sheriff was raping, killing and stealing money from the government then lets put him away. How many people get angry over a relationship gone wrong? Move on ex lover. This situation is a waste of space and energy. Pick and choose your battles.

[GodFearingAmerican]

03:11 AM on 02/21/2012

This sheriff is NO GOOD. His deputies should take him in right away and LOCK AND THROW AWAY THE KEY!!! Such FIFTH in the police force these days.

[Slybuck]

01:59 PM on 02/21/2012

Fool...

[ladelight]

09:27 PM on 02/20/2012

A typical senior gay guy who uses an immigrant for his pleasure and discreet purpose. Then he dumps the guy after use. Gay Republican? The worst the worst.

[john201]

05:49 PM on 02/20/2012

I'm as Conservative as they come.
I don't care if he's gay as long as it does not interfere with his elected duties and as long as he never becomes like that nasty little creature barney franks.

[sculptingman]

09:25 PM on 02/20/2012

And, of course, being as conservative as they come, you don't mind at all that he lies, takes an illegal man as lover, and then agitates against illegal immigrants, Or that he backs an political agenda that is decidedly opposed to equal rights for people like himself... in short, you are fine with him being gay, and fine with his hypocrisy...

but then, hypocrisy is the GOP's stock in trade.

[john201]

12:20 AM on 02/21/2012

Being a Conservative means following the Law.
Unlike Tolerant, progressive, liberal democrats most conservatives don't consider following only those laws we agree with.
When has he agitated agaist homosexuals?
What PROOF do you have he has lied about anything?
Are you a mind reader?
Are you upset he's a Conservative gay just as tolerant, progressive, liberal democrats are upset with Conservative Blacks?
I think you're the hypocrit. You would have no problem if he was a tolerant, progressive, liberal democrat.
You're a sad petty little person.

[mcnatejr]

12:52 AM on 02/21/2012

His being a gay man with standing, are you saying it's O.K. to employ an illigal while opposeing illigal imigration and ingageing in spousal abuse. What then is being a Conservative to you and is hypocrisy part of your answer?

[john201]

01:24 AM on 02/21/2012

What is your proof of illegal actions?
Are you a psychic or just a plain hatred of CONSERVATIVE homosexuals?
TOLERANT,progressive, liberal democrats grasp any rumor or unproven charge to villify those they disagree with.
How Sad!

[praise24sb]

02:19 PM on 02/20/2012

Devestated that he is Gay.

[Steve Brewer II]

10:34 PM on 02/19/2012

I always wondered why so many Republicans want to build giant walls around the US. Now I know it is to help keep the gay lovers they deported from coming back!

[TROP10]

06:45 PM on 02/19/2012

Apparently this guy has been packing more than just heat.

[Sean Jennings]

03:21 PM on 02/19/2012

OK so this guy is a gay Republican Sheriff who is hard on immigration. He was part of Romney's campaign. And to top it all off he is threatening his Mexican ex-lover with deportation if he talks. I'm sorry but that is funny. Can you say hypocritical?

[adcan49]

06:56 PM on 02/19/2012

Yup. F&F!

[CheapTrick]

03:20 AM on 02/20/2012

You said "hard on."

[non fiction]

02:20 PM on 02/19/2012

I'm not at all shocked that someone in the closet takes his self-hatred and lack of empathy out on others. There are too many in the LGBT community like him, just as there are many non-caucasians and women in this country who willingly accept and defend their own second-class status. These days, they're called Republicans. "Love thy neighbor as thyself" and similar commandments from every major religion presupposes self-love. For those who don't really love or respect themselves, empathy is...I would guess...rather difficult.

[gaydood]

12:41 PM on 02/19/2012

gezzz sup with az?

[rickhfx]

12:23 PM on 02/19/2012

The republicans need their own reality show, it is stranger then fiction.

[dogtac69]

02:04 AM on 02/20/2012

rickhfx

Truth
F&F

[rickhfx]

12:21 PM on 02/19/2012

Just make some popcorn sit back and what the republican show, it is so funny.

[rickhfx]

12:03 PM on 02/19/2012

Is anyone surprised ? NO !

[Seer Clearly]

12:01 PM on 02/19/2012

I really have to question the judgment of the voters in Arizona. Mcain. Brewer. Arpaio. Babeau. Sure there are some good apples like Giffords, but the judgement of the Blue Hairs in Arizona seems to be extremely impaired. Just tell the Blue Hairs that you'll beat up on some underdog, and you can be elected, not matter if what you want to do is illegal or immoral in the process. Arizona's political history is like a mini Third Reich, unfortunately without the Nuremburg Trials.

[Mister Serene]

08:51 PM on 02/20/2012

The irony is the Blue Hairs are transplants. Native Americans and people of Mexican descent once ruled the day in Arizona. And folks wonder why young people have little respect for their elders.