The lawsuit accused Babeu and Voyles of exploiting Arizona's forfeiture laws, which provide little to no oversight on spending, plaintiff's attorneys said. Agents also approached the County Attorney's Office about financial records kept by Voyles, who oversaw and approved expenditures of the funds. If approved, the change effectively would strip those affected PCSO employees, primarily PCSO lieutenants, of their ability to appeal to a review board any decision Babeu made to discipline or terminate them. One Instagram post from his account reads, No vaccine, no mask..I did test positive though for Americanitis! underneath a photo of Lamb leaning back on a bench and smiling.
Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. In public, Lamb commands attention. Babeu, who subsequently came out as gay, denied making threats, and a state attorney general investigation later cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing, concluding that the allegations were not supported by the facts. In 2016, Babeu ran for Congress; he lost, but the sheriff spot was left open for Lamb, who defeated Babeus anointed successor in the primary and took the general election. Sproul, who has a long history in GOP political consulting, was accused of voter fraud between 2004 and 2012, allegations he denied and for which he was not charged. ABC15 has learned agents in the FBIs Phoenix Division have conducted interviews with several people in recent weeks to talk about so-called RICO funds used by the sheriffs office. ", (After this story was published online February 17, Babeu and DeRose denied Orozco and his lawyer's threat-of-deportation allegations, and under pressure the sheriff came out as a gay man and admitted that he'd had an affair with Orozco. Before its cancellation, Live PD was immensely popular, capturing more viewers than any other cable program on Friday and Saturday nights. When I asked Vale whether Lamb made a salary from the American Sheriff Network, he said Lamb was a partner of a Virginia LLC that produces the content but declined to give any other details. (In response to the incident, Texas passed a state law that forbids law enforcement agencies from partnering with reality television shows.) . Phoenix's independent source of and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. But ABC15 remains unable to confirm Gaffney's statement. He has also. According to Babeu's website, "Pinal County is the number one pass through county in all of America for drug and human smuggling. January 8, 2013 If you didn't know better, you might think Babeu is still sheriff, based on his website. A September 4, 2011, text from the sheriff reads: "You can never have business after this and you will harm me and many others in the process. He wears Wranglers, worn cowboy boots, a black shirt with rolled sleeves, a fully loaded tactical vest and a brown leather belt with Sheriff Lamb embossed across the back. (There is not, according to multiple courts; an audit in Arizona also reaffirmed Bidens victory there.) He won the Republican nomination against Peter Abair. As KJZZ's Dennis Lambert reports from Phoenix, Babeu will run for re-election as sheriff instead. Records showBabeu spent more than $53,000 to send 25 people to a weeklong conference in St. Louisat which he received a national award. Florence is the county seat. Two top former law-enforcement officials in Pinal County won't face state criminal charges over their questionable use of profitsfrom property seized during arrests and investigations. Voyles said any suggestion that he and Babeu did something unethical or illegal is unfounded.. [19], In late 2010, Babeu was asked by Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio to investigate allegations of wrongdoing in Arapaio's department. . She says she spoke directly to the sheriff's lawyer, DeRose, about the Babeu camp's threats that Orozco could be deported if he "revealed the relationship." Raymond Babeu was a longtime employee of the area's electric utility who was also active in local politics. They seemed unsurprised to see their sheriff talking to a reporter and flashing his TV-ready smile. Lambs advocacy follows in the tradition of constitutional sheriffs, who for decades have propagated the idea refuted by constitutional experts that sheriffs are the supreme legal authority in America, above even the president and the Supreme Court, and that they can choose not to enforce any law they consider unconstitutional. On October 23, 2011, Babeu announced the formation of an exploratory committee to run for U.S. Congress in what would become Arizona's newly redrawn 4th congressional district. While Lamb has gotten more and more scrutiny in Arizona, he has mostly brushed it off. Lately, Lamb has been supporting the campaign of Kari Lake, a Trump-endorsed former Fox anchor running for Arizonas open governors seat in 2022. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. On his person, Lamb has a 9mm Glock pistol, plus a long knife, a taser, handcuffs and extra ammunition, including a magazine with a Punisher skull on it. Karns tells Babeu that his proposal ensures that if command staff doesn't "bow and accede" to his "every wish and desire, they face termination." From November 8 onward, Babeu was like a man racing against the hourglass, appearing numerous times on Fox Business, Fox News and Fox 10 Phoenix, attired in his tan uniform.
Joint Border Security Advisory Committee A Republican, he was elected in 2010 to represent the neighboring 1st congressional district . While it is unclear what transpired between Karns and Babeu or other high-level PCSO staff, Karns -- who says he was planning to retire in April -- hints at lawsuit against the Sheriff's Office. Unless like today. In this case, he's both.". [16] Babeu led the third largest sheriff's office in Arizona with 700 full-time employees. Babeu has been a national leader on the need to secure our border and stop illegal immigration and drug and human trafficking. local news and culture, Stephen Lemons (FAIR has dismissed the characterization, calling the SPLC a partisan attack dog.) Earlier this summer, Lamb gathered some two dozen other sheriffs for a Protect America Now rally along the border in Arizona, where he declared, We are standing up for the Constitution, our oath and the rights of the people.. Orozco says he complied but that Babeu and his attorney also wanted Orozco to sign a document that would bind him legally to keep silent about the relationship. (The spot got picked up on Fox.) Auditors said the pair funneled money to community groups without proper oversight and sometimes without paperwork detailing how the money would be spent. Sheriff Paul Babeu of Pinal County Arizona has emerged as a Republican face for tougher US-Mexico border security. Arizona's forfeiture laws direct proceeds into the coffers of the prosecutors and law-enforcement agencies involved in seizing the items. Doug Barrett for POLITICO. PCSO mouthpiece Tim Gaffney, in a statement posted online by the Arizona Daily Star, dismissed Karns e-mail by citing that no decision yet has been made by the Board of Supervisors, that this was merely an "organizational change to improve operations.". "[30], Babeu ran for Arizona's 1st congressional district in the 2016 elections. Another man walking by said, The sheriff is a good dude. Everyone gathered for a picture, just one more. Join the New Times community and help support
Home - Paul Babeu for Congress Phoenix's independent source of LAMBERT: Babeus exit from the primary leaves Lake Havasu Republican Senator Ron Gould and 1st District Congressman Paul Gosar to fight it out for the GOP nomination. true.
Paul Babeu Remains Sheriff of Pinal County Online Ive never had a desire to run for Senate or Congress, Lamb told me at the caf in Florence, before adding, Im a patriot at heart. It could be his demeanor, at once confident and aw-shucks. The vast rural district, which includes Flagstaff, suburbs of Tucson and the Navajo Reservation, is one of the largest in the country.
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu on gay marriage: "You can't legislate BABEU: Clearly theres a disconnect with the federal government enforcing the law, doing their job and what were doing on the ground. Become a member to support the independent voice of Phoenix ", She adds that federal immigration-enforcement agents have better things to do than "take care of Babeu's boyfriends. Earlier in March, Gaffney also barred this reporter from entering a press conference held by Sheriff Babeu in a public building. The decision comes months after state auditors found Babeu and Voyles mismanaged more than $2 million in so-called racketeering, or RICO,funds. The school closed in 2004, following the death of its founder Michael DeSisto. He says he commented anonymously that the sheriff was not who people thought he was. Reveles hoped Lamb would not turn out to be another Arpaio or Babeu.
Romney Campaign Press Release - Mitt Romney Announces Support of Outside his day job in Pinal County, Lamb, shown here at a cafe in Florence, Ariz., is involved with a new nonprofit coalition of sheriffs and a streaming network highlighting the work sheriffs do as they respond to calls for service. Former Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu and County Attorney Lando Voyles said they have been maligned and subjected to "disparaging statements" over their handling of profits from seized. Robert Tsai, a constitutional law professor at Boston University, told me he sees Protect America Now as political in nature an effort to leverage sheriffs in mainstream Republican politics, while also branding [sheriffs] for future political careers. Lamb says Protect America Now is not a political organization, but that its efforts are viewed as political sometimes. Yet Protect America Now, a 501(c)4, was founded in June 2020 by a group that includes Nathan Sproul, an Arizona-based Republican strategist. Super Fans, Mascot Mania, and All-Stars: Suns and Nuggets Get Ready to Rumble, Fight Night: How Phoenix Became a Hotbed for Mixed Martial Arts Champions, New Attainable Not Necessarily Affordable Housing Coming to Downtown Phoenix, Katie Hobbs Gets Singed After Unwrapping Tamale-tastrophe, I Love the Rivalry: Fans Soak Up U.S.-Mexico Soccer Showdown in the Valley. Lamb is a frequent talking head on Fox News and Newsmax, where he derides President Joe Bidens and Vice President Kamala Harris handling of immigration, and he has spoken at political events like a Turning Point Action summit a few months ago in Phoenix, where he quoted Shakespeare and Thomas Paine (Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered) and promised, The sheriffs are going to hold the line., Sheriff Mark Lamb has jurisdiction over Pinal County, a stretch of desert wedged between Phoenix and Tucson thats home to about 500,000 people. Pinal County Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Navideh Forghani said Friday that the sheriff already has complied with the demand and has turned over the records. Paul Babeu was a 2016 Republican candidate who sought election to the U.S. House to represent the 1st Congressional District of Arizona. ABC15 has learned agents in the FBI . independent local journalism in Phoenix. and you didn't care.". Sources said agents also are interested in whether Babeu and other staff used any RICO funds or other public resources for campaign purposes since Babeu is currently running for Congress. Pinal County Sheriffs Office Director of Administration Tim Gaffney sent ABC15 a written statement denying that there is any open investigation into their office. The sheriff didn't dispute the authenticity of any text messages or photos appearing with this article.). [26] Babeu stepped down as co-chair of Mitt Romney's presidential campaign in Arizona, but received the continued support of U.S. The Goldwater Institute, a conservative watchdog group, raised concerns about the foundationin 2017 and sought records to determine if Babeu was using it to bypass campaign-finance laws and promote his 2016 congressional campaign. Photos by Doug Barrett/@400northcreative for Politico Magazine. [2] Babeu was born on February 3, 1969, in North Adams, Massachusetts, to Raymond and Helen Babeu. He was Pinal County's first Republican sheriff.[2]. The sheriff denies funding was a problem, saying he raised more money in his 4th District congressional bid than either of his opponents. I love America. Burghart says the distinction between the two groups might be more about style that Protect America Now is taking a slicker, more palatable approach, with a much better sense of PR than Mack and his crowd.. Sheriffs in almost every state operate independently with limited oversight, giving them the freedom to engage in political advocacy and appear in the media. "I will likely get the compensation back that your actions are costing my family, unfortunately not from you personally, but from the poor taxpayers of Pinal County who will likely continue to suffer such actions due to what you continue to do," Karns writes to Babeu. . Once elected, Lamb promised he would focus on building relationships within the county. | Two of Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu's siblings believe their brother is unfit to be a U.S. The FBI declined comment Wednesday. [1] In 1992, Babeu was elected to a four-year term as a Berkshire County, Massachusetts, commissioner. The groups website lists seven additional sheriffs at least five of whom have been accused of some form of misconduct as advisory committee members. Lamb says the network takes its inspiration from Live PD, an A&E show that ran from 2016 until 2020, when it was canceled after deputies in Williamson County, Texas, were caught on camera tasing a man named Javier Ambler, and ultimately killing him. The district's incumbent representative, Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick, did not seek re-election as she instead ran for the U.S. | Doug Barrett for POLITICO. 2023 www.azcentral.com. Lamb, center, speaks at a Turning Point Action gathering in Phoenix this past July. The status of both federal investigations was unknown. Forfeiture money paid for Voyles' personal security system, retirement contributions of employees in his office and fundraising for the Sheriff's Office, according to the lawsuit. LAMBERT: Babeu says the federal government was refusing to allow Henry to both supervise federal funds in the Pinal County Sheriffs Office and run for sheriff.
Now, with the public's memory of the scandal fading. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Article It could be one of the most competitive House seats in. In 2017, the FBI launched a probe into RICO expenditures in Pinal County and conducted an informal search of the Pinal County Sheriff's Office. See additional photos from text-messages between Sheriff Babeu and his ex-lover. February 2, 2017 Perhaps Paul Babeu, the Arizona sheriff and former Romney campaign manager, should spend more time studying the Republican Party's approach to gay rights. Can we start calling you senator? the man asked. Shutterstock. Babeu and Voyles this month demanded an apology from Volkmer, saying he unfairly maligned them and subjected them to disparaging statements over the use of RICO funds. In an email, he wrote that Lamb is a Constitutional Sheriff and is one of the best sheriffs in America. Lamb, for his part, says he respects Mack and has a good relationship with CSPOA. But he emphasized to me that Protect America Now and CSPOA are different groups, and said he also does not support any form of white supremacy. Lambs nose for PR is apparent, and it extends beyond Protect America Now. [5][17], Babeu has been an outspoken critic of the federal government on the issue of illegal immigration. Pinal County Sheriff's Office Captain Jeffrey Karns, who retired today, lambasted Sheriff Paul Babeu in an e-mail he sent not only to Babeu, but to all PCSO staff. There was an older Latino man named Randy wearing a snap-pocket shirt who had recently retired from a wild horse-and-burro program at the nearby prison and asked Lamb if he knew any cowboys.
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu announces run for Congress He was defeated in the general election by Democrat Tom O'Halleran. 6:00AM. On his person, Lamb has a 9mm Glock pistol, plus a long knife, a taser, handcuffs and extra ammunition. The county also enjoys relatively low levels of crime. He graduated from the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy as the #1 overall police recruit and was voted by his fellow officers as the class exemplary officer. Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu just won a primary for a competitive congressional seat in Arizona. Senator Jon Kyl draft their "10-Point Border Security Plan". Senator John McCain, who called Babeu his friend. The lawsuit accused Babeu and Voyles of exploiting Arizona's forfeiture laws, which provide little to no oversight on spending, plaintiff's attorneys said.
Arizona Sheriff's Warning to Hikers About 'Mexican Drug Assassins' Is Voyles maintained that he implemented proper controls to ensure RICO funds were not misspent and pointed to audits conducted by the county, the Arizona Attorney Generals Office and the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. ", Antonio Bustamante, a criminal defense attorney and immigration activist, tells New Times that if the allegations against Babeu are true, "To use a position of authority. This summer, he made a short video saying he would not require, or ask, his staff to get vaccinated. Sheriff Babeu won his first term in a landslide election victory in 2008 over the incumbent Sheriff. Personal website. | You brother will also be contacted. The lawsuit claimed the county agencies were misusing RICO funds and funneling money through the Arizona Public Safety Foundation. Lamb said a recent major request involved $50,000 to pay for computer equipment that will allow investigators to download large amounts of data from cell phones, laptops and other electronic devices without inhibiting use. They contended the foundation operated as a pass-through for funds for Babeu and Voyles. Contact ABC15 Investigator Dave Biscobing at dbiscobing@abc15.com. Babeau said he intended to balance the department's budget by auctioning the equipment. Copyright 2023 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD. They seemed unsurprised to see their sheriff talking to a reporter and flashing his TV-ready smile. In the weeks following the videos release, it was discovered Babeu also filed to run in the wrong congressional district and his financial disclosure forms were late. [11][12], Babeu joined the Massachusetts National Guard as a 21-year-old. Karns, promoted to captain in 2002, writes that Babeu's move is about gaining for himself "total and complete control and support, operationally and politically.". Newly elected Sheriff Mark Lamb was ordered by subpoena to deliver records to the grand jury evidencing misuse of county, state or federal RICO funds by Pinal County Sheriffs Office employees.. The federal grand jury also asked for documents involving funds that were provided to the Arizona Public Safety Foundation, a non-profit agency that received hundreds of thousands of dollars in Pinal County RICO funds. Instead, his pro-sheriff messaging with media savvy and Trump-y politics thrown in the mix seems designed for a wider audience. Babeu and Voyles this month demanded an apology from Volkmer, Questions about the foundation also were raised in a 2015 federal lawsuit, Babeu spent more than $53,000 to send 25 people to a weeklong conference in St. Louis, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Doug Ducey in 2017 signed a lawto increase oversight ofRICO expenditures and give people a better ability to challengeforfeiture laws. 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. Lamb supported the stop the steal campaign in Arizona and has expressed sympathy for the Jan. 6 rioters. They said he accused them of criminal conduct. [6], At the end of this term in 1996, Babeu ran for a seat in the Massachusetts Senate based in Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin. . Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. They just happen to support President Trump a lot. When I asked about the roughly 140 law enforcement officers who had been injured or killed while on duty at the Capitol doing a job Lamb also professes to cherish he demurred, saying he hadnt been there and couldnt say what was or wasnt true. [9] The school was in a long legal fight with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts over licensing, allegations of child abuse, a Commonwealth-imposed enrollment freeze, and accusations of failing to create a safe environment for its students. Babeu's statement said that "Border Patrol agents were shot at by drug smugglers last month on the Tohono O'odham Reservation south of Pinal County," but it's unclear whether the shooting involved . ", The following day, on September 7, De-Rose sent an e-mail directly to Orozco ordering him to "cease and desist. [3][4], Babeu holds an associate degree in law enforcement from the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy. RICO seizures and spending by the Pinal County Sheriffs Office and County Attorneys office have been heavily criticized by several watchdog groups during the past year. "[10] Babeu was not named in any allegation during the investigation by the state. The latest of the alleged threats were made through Babeu's personal attorney, who's also running the sheriff's campaign for Congress in District 4, the ex-lover says. There was the waitress who told Lamb he needed to gain weight. local news and culture. He has called vaccine mandates garbage and spoke at a recent anti-vaccine rally in Phoenix, where he told supporters, Were going to find out what kind of patriots you are. When their relationship soured, Orozco claimed Babeu had threatened to have him deported unless he signed a contract swearing him to secrecy. (A federal judge later found Arpaio in criminal contempt of a court order to stop racially profiling Latino residents, but Trump later pardoned him.) He flashes a Hollywood smile as he talks about the shine on the badge. Many of the episodes are filmed in a low-budget style and feature Lamb as a guide, introducing viewers to other sheriffs in Nevada and Arizona. [14] Babeu was reelected in 2012 with 53.3% of the votes, winning out over Democrat and independent candidates. They just happen to support President Trump a lot. Babeu could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. | AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta. Lamb says he was always interested in guns but didnt plan for a law enforcement career. [25] Babeu came out as gay on February 18, 2012, saying that his sexual orientation was the only factual statement from the allegations. [8] In the general election, Barrett won re-election and defeated Babeu 53%-47%,[1] a difference of just 353 votes, in an election with an unusually high turnout rate of 75% among registered voters. | Doug Barrett for POLITICO. Protect America Now is new enough that its tax filings have not yet been made public, but Vale told me Lamb does not get paid by the group, outside reimbursements for expenses. Join the New Times community and help support He says lawyer Chris DeRose demanded he sign an agreement that he would never breathe a word about the affair. Orozco says he created and maintained Babeu's campaign websites, his Facebook page, and his Twitter account. Babeu was tapping RICO funds to pay for Sheriff's Office travel as early as 2011. Arizona's forfeiture laws direct proceeds into the coffers of the prosecutors and law-enforcement agencies involved in seizing the items.