Sheriff Babeu's Ex Files Notice of Claim Against Him

MyFoxPhoenix.com
Updated: Monday, 05 Mar 2012, 9:21 PM MST
Published : Monday, 05 Mar 2012, 9:21 PM MST

Only after the story was turned down by media outlets was the allegation made about Sheriff Babeu threatening Jose with deportation.
FLORENCE - There are new developments in the scandal that rocked Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu and his bid for Congress.

It started when the New Times published an article in which Babeu's ex-boyfriend said the sheriff threatened him with deportation if he ever revealed their relationship.

Now that ex-boyfriend is taking legal action against the sheriff and the county.

Exact details about the claims of damage are still unavailable, but FOX 10 spoke with Jose Orozco's attorney, who confirms paperwork has been filed.

We also know the notice of claim, which was filed with the sheriff and the county's board of supervisors, seeks $1 million in damages.

Jose Orozco told the New Times last month that he had an on-going relationship with Sheriff Paul Babeu and claimed that the sheriff threatened him with deportation if he spoke of the affair.

Orozco, a Mexican national, also volunteered for Babeu's campaign, in which time he managed Babeu's website and other social media sites. During a news conference held in front of the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, Babeu admitted to the relationship -- and that he is in fact gay -- but denied any wrong doing.

Filing this paperwork is typically the first step in the legal process when someone is pursuing a lawsuit.

Statement from Pinal County Sheriff's Office spokesperson

A notice of claim was provided to our office earlier today regarding this matter. The Arizona Republic and several other news entities have already confirmed the photos were shopped around for months to various news stations in an effort to bring out the fact Sheriff Babeu is gay. The photos were sent privately and never meant to be displayed publically.

Nobody ran with a story because its the Sheriff's personal and his private life. Only after the story was turned down by media outlets was the allegation made about Sheriff Babeu threatening Jose with deportation.

Sheriff Babeu has said from the beginning that Jose is in the United States legally and has been since he first met him. After the story broke, both Jose and his attorney confirmed Jose is here legally in the United States. Sheriff Babeu and his attorney Chris DeRose have also both said that Jose was never threatened with deportation as it has been reported.

Now during the past few days, Jose's attorney has said the word deportation was never used. It is clear that the photos and subsequent attacks are meant to harm the Sheriff personally and politically. Sheriff Babeu personally requested a comprehensive investigation by the Attorney General's Office to clear his name and seek possible charges.

The case has been assigned to the Solicitor General and until the investigation is done, Sheriff Babeu will not be making any further statement to members of the media regarding this issue.

Source: Sheriff Babeu's Ex Files Notice of Claim Against Him