Paul Babeu, a prominent Arizona sheriff and congressional candidate, left his post in Mitt Romney's Republican presidential campaign Saturday as he battled allegations that he tried to intimidate a male ex-lover.

Babeu confirmed in a press conference Saturday that he is gay, after the story of the relationship was published Thursday in an alternative weekly newspaper. The Pinal County Sheriff, though, adamantly denied claims Saturday that he tried to threaten the man, a Mexican immigrant and a former campaign volunteer, with deportation if their past relationship was made public.

Babeu, who rose to prominence for his strong positions against illegal immigration, vowed to continue his campaign in Arizona's 4th Congressional District seat.

"This whole rumor, this whole of idea of who I am in my private life has been shopped around," Babeu told reporters during an hour-long press conference Saturday in front of his sheriff's office. "This was a way, the hook, of how this could be brought out, and to malign and attack a sheriff who does stand for conservative principals, who does enforce the law."

At the same time, Babeu stepped aside as the Arizona co-chairman for Romney, a decision the campaign claimed would give him breathing room as he deals with the new claims.

"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," Romney spokesman Ryan Williams said in a brief statement.

The Phoenix New Times first reported that a former boyfriend claimed Babeu's lawyer wanted him to sign an agreement that he would stay silent about their relationship.

The former boyfriend, identified only as Jose, reportedly claimed that when he refused, the attorney said any extra attention on Jose from revealing the relationship could result in him being deported.

The Babeu campaign, though, released a statement Friday saying they only tried to have "this individual" comply with a cease and desist order -- after he allegedly hacked into their website and Twitter account. "But at no time were any threats made," the statement said.

The campaign provided a copy of the Sept. 6, 2011, cease and desist order. The campaign also denied "the sensationalist headline" in the New Times, which claimed the sheriff's attorney threatened the man with deportation.

Babeu told The Arizona Republic that Jose used to be a campaign volunteer.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/18/arizona-sheriff-steps-down-from-romney-campaign-post-amid-allegations/?test=latestnews#ixzz1mn1grmqF

If the allegations are true he needs to be prosecuted. Plus being with an illegal!

There are legal Mexican immigrants.

Yup, and they did it the LEGAL way which I support.

Prosecuted for what?

Blackmail and I am sure there are other crimes that can be charged "IF" this is true.

Blackmail? The guy allegedly was/is in the country illegally! He should be threatened with deportation, maybe he would leave on his own.

And the Sheriff was in a relationship with him and harboring an Illegal!

Sheriff Paul Baboo was a rising star in the Republican Party. He was always on TV in AZ and did commercials for John McCain. He talked real tough on illegal immigration and was thought of as a real ultra conservative, go get 'em kind of sheriff. I believe he had 20 years with the military as well.

Now he turns out to be a phony, gay, illegal alien boyfriend, putting hose b into Jose. Posting photos of himself on a gay dating webite as "Studboi". More photos of him with hands all over Jose. What an embarrassment. NOT professional.

He should resign.

Yea I always ask my girlfriends for there greencard or proof of citizenship before I take them on a date . . .

Sounds like some drama that doesn't really matter to the job.

The only thing that would concern me is that if he is running for congress, I'd want to know if he was really trying to bribe his boyfriend. I don't see that as a character quality I'd want in a congress man gay or not.

But who knows he admitted to being gay so it's possible his enemies will use that to discredit him.

He clearly knew the guy was illegal and held it over his head!

That is indeed a bad thing. Didn't see that, is that a fact, or opinion from an article, or just the boyfriend trying to sling dirt?

That's why I originally posted "IF" it's proven then action should be taken.

Sheriff Baboo should RESIGN or be FIRED.

He is in violation of policy with his behavior and conduct and has brought discredit to the Pinal County Sheriff Department.

He has also been untruthful which makes him unfit for law enforcement.

Very unprofessional conduct....you all need to read the entire article in the New Times.

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2012-02-16/news/paul-babeu-s-mexican-ex-lover-says-sheriff-s-attorney-threatened-him-with-deportation/2/

#1 PHX new times is a filthy, filthy liberal rag (sans the Worlds Angriest Dog cartoon) and second I find it funny that Sheriffs who go after criminal immigrants are in violation of policy and have bad behavior

"IF" it's proven that this is 100% accurate. I do find it funny the timing of this $hit storm though................

You would be surprised, shocked, disappointed and outraged if you knew what your congressmen and senators have done in the past to get where they are.

I might have been shocked 40 years ago but nothing shocks me now. lol

Wowser!
We are in 100% agreement on this.
Will wonders never cease.

There still isn't a lot of proof then someone's word against someone else's.