Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu on Saturday denied allegations that he and his attorney threatened to deport a Mexican former boyfriend of Babeu's unless the man agreed not to disclose the relationship.

Babeu said the allegations are "completely false" and that the only information mentioned in a Phoenix New Times article that's true is "I'm gay."

"This was the way, the hook of how this could be brought out (his sexuality) and to malign and attack a sheriff who does stand for conservative principles," said Babeu at a press conference outside his department's headquarters in Florence.

The sheriff acknowledged he had a relationship with "Jose," the man who made the allegations to the New Times. The alternative weekly's online story was accompanied by photos of Babeu with a man it identified as "Jose.".

"These were photographs that are mine, that I sent to an individual that was meant only for their observation, not meant to be splashed on the Internet or TV, and there still needs to be some balance for privacy," Babeu said.

When asked about why he didn't come out sooner, Babeu said, "This is my personal life, my private life, I've never worn it on my sleeve."

Babeu said that neither he nor anyone who represents him, including his attorney and congressional campaign manager Chris DeRose, threaten deportation. He said he does not have the power as sheriff to seek deportation nor has he sought any other legal action against the man.

Babeu had told The Arizona Republic on Friday that he knew Jose as a campaign volunteer who had improperly accessed his campaign website without permission.

On Saturday, Babeu elaborated, saying the relationship with Jose "was of a personal nature" and that at some point the relationship ended. Jose was a volunteer who took control of the sheriff's campaign websites. Later, a paid staffer took over.

Babeu is running for the U.S. House in Arizona's new 4th Congressional District.

The sheriff said information in the New Times article about his possible use of using his county cellphone for personal conduct is incorrect. "I never used any county or government resources ever," Babeu said.

He concluded the conference by saying, "Everything I've done...at any level in my entire career...has been not only fully honorable, has complied with all the law and led by example."

Babeu said he wanted to "let everybody know that we've moving forward, that I'm anxious to speak on the issues that are important to families and people around Arizona. God bless."

Melissa Weiss-Riner, an immigration attorney identified by the New Times as representing Jose, told The Republic he was a client but declined to discuss specifically why she was representing him.

Babeu was flanked by supporters at the press conference Saturday, a number of whom took to the microphone to defend and laud the sheriff for his law-enforcement achievements. They all said Babeu's sexual orientation has no bearing on their assessment and support of him.

Pinal County Supervisor Bryan Martyn, a fellow Republican and self-described longtime friend, said the sheriff' "is a good guy."

"Paul is a leader, Paul makes changes we need in Pinal County. ...And God bless him, he's looking to take that to Washington."

Babeu on Saturday quit his position as an Arizona co-chairman of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.

"Sheriff Babeu has stepped down from his volunteer position with the campaign so he can focus on the allegations against him," Romney spokesman Ryan Williams told The Republic in a statement. "We support his decision."

Babeu recently appeared at a Romney event with former Vice President Dan Quayle in Paradise Valley.

The allegations against Babeu spread quickly through the blogosphere Saturday, with a variety of Internet news sites and blogs reporting on the allegations and posting photos that first appeared in New Times.