Babeu bombshell: Gay relationship & deportation threats, report says

Arizona Sheriff Paul Babeu, a congressional candidate national reknown for his border security advocacy, is being accused of threatening to deport a former boyfriend when he wouldn't agree to keep their relationship secret.

The explosive story, published late Friday by the Phoenix New Times, includes pictures of Babeu with his ex-lover, text messages between the two and an allegation of intimidation and threats after a relationship went south.

The 34-year-old from central Mexico charges that the sheriff's lawyer warned against mentioning the affair with Babeu. [Chris] DeRose said gossip about Babeu would focus attention on Jose, attention that could result in his deportation, Jose says. Jose says he met Babeu in October 2006 on gay.com, a dating website. What started with an online invitation from Babeu for the two to get together, he says, turned into not only a personal relationship but a professional one.

The entire damaging story is worth the read and likely imperils his congressional candidacy and potentially his position as sheriff.

While Arizona political observers predicted the story would squash his House bid, Babeu spokesman DeRose told POLITICO that the sheriff was "absolutely staying in."

DeRose also provided a statement to POLITICO saying that the New Times story published allegations referring to an incident in September when the campaign's website, Twitter account and online financial transaction system were illegally hacked.

The New Times story reports that Babeu's former lover, described only as Jose, had access to those accounts and was given permission by Babeu to operate them.

DeRose claims that a "cease and desist" letter was sent to the "suspected perpetrator" who "promptly returned access to the campaign."

"This individual was asked to sign an agreement refraining from similar activity in the future, but at no time were any threats made," DeRose writes.

"We strongly deny the sensationalist headline published by the Phoenix New Times," he continued.

DeRose does not address Babeu's relationship with Jose or the pictures and online profiles published online as part of the story.

In picking up the story, Tucson Weekly went with the more direct approach in its headline: "Phoenix New Times Outs Paul Babeu."

"Clearly Sheriff Babeu should be free to live his life in whatever manner he likes sexually, but it'll be interesting to see how this is received among his generally conservative fanbase, especially considering it appears he knew of his lover's immigration status when they were dating," writes the publication.

Rep. Paul Gosar, the freshman who Babeu is challenging for his seat, offered no comment through a spokeswoman.