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Embattled Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu is fending off new allegations -- this time from his sister.
An embattled Arizona sheriff who earlier denied he threatened to deport his ex-lover to Mexico is fending off new allegations – this time from his sister, who claims he had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student from a Massachusetts boarding school he once ran.
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeau, who is running for Congress in Arizona's 4th Congressional District, denies the allegations made by Lucy Babeau, and his camp is questioning her mental stability.
In a story broadcast Sunday, Lucy Babeau told ABC15 that her brother had an inappropriate relationship with a male student at the DeSisto School, a private boarding school for troubled teens in Stockbridge, Mass., while Paul Babeau directed the school. Babeau was executive director and headmaster of DeSisto from 1999 to 2001.
Lucy Babeu told the ABC15 she confronted her brother after finding a teen student from the school living with him.
“I said, ‘What is this student from DeSisto doing here?’ He says, ‘Lucy, he's my boyfriend. I love him.'" At the time, the student was 17, which is above the legal age of consent in Massachusetts, according to ABC15.
The story also said physical and sexual abuse occurred at the school under Babeau’s stewardship. The TV station cited former students and state records as saying the school used controversial disciplinary methods, including forcing misbehaving students to strip down and wear nothing but a sheet or to sit facing the wall for hours.
Babeu declined an on-camera interview, but his spokesman sent ABC15 this statement:
"DeSisto Private School's mission was to save troubled, yet talented youth in a therapeutic environment. The Sheriff served three years and was recognized for helping restore financial stability of the school. He was never the target of any investigation or lawsuit. Sheriff Babeu is a recognized leader for Victim's Rights."
On Tuesday, Babeau’s campaign launched a counterattack against his sister. The Rose Law Group, which has supported Babeau, put out a two-page dossier detailing what it said was Lucy Babeau’s medical history and alleged behavioral problems, The Arizona Star reported. It also distributed a letter from the former teen at DeSoto. In it, he denies having had “any inappropriate sexual relationship” with Babeau.
Lucy Babeau, reached at her home in North Adams, Mass., called the dossier “slanderous” and said several portions were false.
Sheriff Babeau, known for his tough stance against illegal immigration, made national headlines in mid-February after the Phoenix New Times published an article in which a man claimed the sheriff threatened him with deportation for refusing to promise never to disclose their years-long relationship.
Babeau held a press conference and acknowledged he is gay but denied the allegations of misconduct against him. Babeau also resigned as Arizona co-chairman of Mitt Romney’s GOP presidential campaign.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News
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Do i smell resentment on the sisters part? Perhaps she thought she could get money out of her bro's campaign funds??? Why didn't she bring this out when he was being attacked by his Mexican lover??? Perhaps there is mental unstability in both households, hummmmmmmmmmm????? The young lover denied anything illegal, now where does that leave sis's allegation????
Honey, did the sheriff mention anything about being attacked by his Mexican lover? Also, of course the young lover would deny any relationship with the sheriff, because I'm sure he doesn't want this spotlight shining on him! You should know by now that the first reaction of allegations as serious as these is to deny, Deny, DENY!
I'm sure that there seems to be obvious dysfunctional behavior on the part of the sheriff and his sister, but from all the scandals of past public officials, you'd think they would have learned by now that it's not the actual crime or accusation that gets them into trouble. It's the many lies and cover-ups that follow that end up bringing them down!
What I smell is another Republican fake poster boy going down in flames.
...or perhaps she's telling the truth. I think she's just telling the truth.
Let me guess, you didn't like the Christmas present I sent you.
At this point, it's more of a "he said / she said" situation, neither side has irrefutable proof. Under that situation, the best course is to suspend judgement until additional evidence comes in.
That said, the gay sheriff has 2 points in his favor - the former teen denies the allegation, and the sisters past history. All the sister has is allegations of controversial disciplinary measures.
How convenient to attribute the sister's accusations on mental instability. An old, well-known MO (method of operation). Perhaps her alleged mental instability stems from the sheriff's bizzare behavior.
What Christmas present?! I didn't even get one from you!
I want my Ipod! I earned my Ipod! I need my Ipod!
lol you have to know the Rose group...Jason rose would lie and sell out his mother if it made him a buck..hes a pathological liar, and known mouthpiece for politicians under scrutiny here in phx..ive yet to see or hear him make a Factual statement..EVER!
Notice that statement released from his spokesman did not contain a denial.
Lou, MO stands for modus operandi. It does translate to "mode of operation," but the abbreviation is for the Latin phrase. Also, what is the Sheriff's "bizarre behavior"? Being gay in Arizona?
Read the statement by the former teen, 'any inappropriate sexual behavior'. Carefully worded he did not say no sexual behavior between the two...more later.
Stephanie, the statement is saying that there is nothing to deny. Why should they deny something that he has never been accused of in the 11 years that have passed since he left that position?
I would speculate that the sisters mental issues stem from the fact that she was sexually molested by him when they were younger. And the fact that he's so quick to cite her drug abuse and mental health as the problem...those issues USUALLY start somewhere.
The young man only said there was no inappropriate relationship...so what, to him it was legal, it was consensual, ergo appropriate. The challenging thing is that the Sheriff was apparently closeted and keeping the relationship stuff secret at least from certain folks, like the Romney folks. That in itself points to his dysfunction.....
They are looking into the mental stability of the sister??? You just can't make this stuff up!!! The ONLY good thing here is that he is not from Texas.
I know, I know, that is why I said it!!!
Kev, the statement didn't say that either. It really didn't say anything at all.
Let's say that the relationship wasn't sexual. It was still innappropriate. No teacher or school administrator should have a student living with them without the express permssion of the parents AND the institution for which they work. Clearly, the press should do some more investigation of this matter.
Max^108 & Lou7777777,
You Two, Gotta be way out there, way high... LOL
Only in America could all of this @!$%# be publicised with out proof. If you go to court you have to prove your case, where is there any proof???
It is a shame that everyone goes after the age card. It is legal to marry two people of the same sex in Mass., so what is the big deal. No other Country does the age card come into play with two consenting people having sex.
Joe, did you read the article. The sister provided the first claim. In court, that would be called a testimony. Second, the person in question, now an adult, says the relationship wasn't sexual, but admits there was some kind of relationship. However, the veracity of his claim that the relationship wasn't sexual could, in a court, be challenged since the young man might have a reason for hiding the facts. Of coure, the sister's testimony could also be impeached. Finally, the good sherriff himself might be called to the stand or he could claim the fifth.
Another hypocrite Republican in the closet, what else is new??
Exactly. Why couldn't they all be more like Barney Frank?
At least Barney is a man, not a coward.
At least Barney is honest about who he is. These closeted self-haters from the right make me very sad. Love yourself, if anyone at all!
If he WERE more like Barney Frank he'd be a respectable person who's done great things for the country.
This guy should ask if he could be President Obama's school czar. He would fit right in.
Barney Frank is not an honest man. He is a jack ass who helped collapse the housing industry. How's your investment in your home looking today Bart? "great things for the country" BS!
My house investment is looking real good. I did not buy more than I needed, and, put down 33%. 15 year loan. Will be paid off in 8 years since I am paying extra against principal. Suggest you do the same.
Was closeted, but isn't now. At least he doesn't have a history of anti-gay talk and anti-gay legislative proposals, like Larry Craig or Mark Foley. But considering the homophobic attitude of the Teapublicans, being a Gay Republican now is a bit like being a black Klansman or a Jewish Nazi.
He's running as a Republican, hardly likely to ask for any position in the Obama administration. He could have been a big help in the repeal of "Don't ask don't tell" though.
Only a 2nd home could be considered an investment, you need to live in the 1st one. When people stop pretending they're part of the haves and accepts that they're part of the have-nots, the housing crisis will be over. Live within your means.
He ONLY came out because his Mexican ex lover opened his closet door!
So, the sister is claiming that she has known of her brother having an inappropriate relationship with a minor at some point between 1999 and 2001, but never felt the need to report it until her brother was in the news over 10 years later. Does she really expect people to believe her story or to believe that her motives are not self-serving?
KevNC, if you would re-read the story, the boy was of legal consent in Mass. When this supposedly took place.
Verno- if you would re-read my post, I said an inappropriate relationship, not an illegal one. If this boy was a student at the time of the alleged relationship, it would be inappropriate as school officials are not allowed to have sexual relationships with students, regardless of their age. This applies to colleges as well.
Inappropriate also applies in the workplace and has zip to do with age.
Nonetheless, I too find the sister suspect. Families are notorious for vicious in-fighting. Hey, one Massachusetts sister murdered her brother. She got away with it too until she gunned down her colleagues at U. Alabama.
I believe her.
To whom do you report an inappropriate relationship? You do not go to the law because it is not illegal. She could have gone to the school board, if she could get access to them. At most schools you only get to meet the principal. Oops, that was her brother, and she already confronted him about the teen lover.
The student is the one that said it was not inappropriate. In this type of situation the student never considers it inappropriate, they think of it as LOVE. Ask Gingrich if his relationship with his teacher was inappropriate.
drwtsn - the student would be between 28-30 years old now. He is not some wide-eyed teen romanticizing a relationship with an older man.
frank - He ran the school, but he still had superiors. It was a private school, all she had to do was go to the board of directors. Or better yet, why not contact the kid's parents? She didn't even do that.
Wow, he sure seems to have a lot of skeletons in his closet.
I have a feeling he's had a lot of bones in his closet over the years.
Probably. It's obvious he's had bones elsewhere. Ooooh no I didn't.
Damn it, guys!!! You stole my bit! lol
Yea and he apparently likes his skeletons stiff!
What a coward
You spelled "di'in't" wrong./
Sheriff is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
that's a lot of freaking skeletons.
Regardless of what he says about his sister, he still could have done everything she says.
He could also be innocent. People shouldn't jump to conclusions either way.
He could also be guilty. We already know he lies as needed.
Innocent people do not need to lie. The truth is in their favor.
Only in Arizona.
And Massachusetts.
And any other place there are human beings.....
Or Florida!
LOL Jo-An - were you implying there are no human beings in Florida or was it just luck that sophie made her comment before yours? Too funny.
I thought maybe he wanted to borrow her clothes or something.
"Gay" is not the same as "Transvestite", there are a lot of gay men who would never consider dressing up in drag. On the other hand, some Transvestites men are hetero and would never consider making love to another man.
CM 6969-and both are normal huh?
CM there is a difference between cross dresser and transvestite. One does not imply the other.
Perfect....I do not care where he wants to put his junk, but be a "man" about it. Hold up for who you are. He needs to wipe the santorum off and get on with life outside the public sphere.
His inbox is probably full of new applicants wanting to add more santorum. He probably will not wipe up for any length of time ever again.
A gay Republican! How cute! /sarc
Yes we also have some Gays, but Smart Gays
The morality of these would be politicians, not to mention the actual politicians, is absolutely disgusting to say the least. They have all prostituted themselves for money and their own ego. They care not for others, rather they only care for themselves as only a narcissistic fool can. God will wreck havoc on this country due for our deteriorating moral ethics and then what? To whom will they then turn, their bank accounts?
Jeremiah 23:1 (The word of the One true living God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob )
"Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!" declares the LORD.
2;Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel concerning the shepherds who are tending My people: "You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds," declares the LORD.
3;"Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock ( imperfect people who love God in Truth) out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply.
4; "I will also raise up shepherds over them and they will tend them; and they will not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the LORD.
what the hell does your silly rant have to do with the price of eggs in china?
My guess would be that HIS child is one of those gay hating christians trying to berate the rest of us with bible verses for not hating gays.
funny I was about to say the same thing.........
to: HIS child-2382068
Kindly park your bible and verses where your sun rarely shines. You make no sense and offer nothing of value or merit to this conversation.
Jesus: "Love Thy Neighbor"
Enough said.
I'm betting that the sister takes anti-depressants...and so that makes her unstable. That would make millions of Americans wacky. I don't think so. This guy is a liar and pathetic.
I'm betting everything she says is true.
I'm betting Bart Connor is homophbic.
I like how the spokesman never denied the relationship, only said that the sherriff was never investigated. Doesn't mean it didn't happen.
The spokesman never addressed the alleged relationship. He was speaking about the sister's other allegations that Babeu used controversial methods to discipline the students at the school. He said that Babeu was never the target of any investigations or lawsuits. So, in other words, no one from this school has ever made an official allegation against Babeu.
As far as the relationship goes, the individual Babeu supposedly had a relationship with wrote a letter saying that there never was an inappropriate relationship between the two of them.
Funny you mentioned that because didn't they say the same thing when the first one came out. I think it is inappropriate because of the student/teacher relationship and he should be in trouble for that. However, what is the point of brining it up now? And why is the sister bringing it up? I mean honestly, folks may think the methods were harsh at that school, but if the state hadd no problems, what's the deal. I wish the paddle was back in school today (with parental permission to do so).
The relationship was inappropriate only if the young man was still a student. Since the young man, who at this point would be close to 30 years old, is the one denying any inappropriate relationship, then unless the sister has some sort of physical evidence to counter the young man's statement, this is a non-issue.
KevNC - logic is irrelevant on msnbc.com. I applaud you for your efforts though.
I believe this guy's done.
I thought being a hypocritical liar was pre-requisite for being a liberal? The left hates him because he believed that has sex life was his own business.
As much as I can't stand repubs,you dems are something else.Reps doublespeak is about money and power.Dems is about empowerment and someone elses money.Hah- a gay guy is rep and you dems don't claim him as a 'sister',he's a devious rep! It's the DRAMACRAT party.HAH.Don't worry,I'll probably vote for Barry ..,again. PS-you realize they're all duplicitous bastards[bastresses]
Typical Republican hypocrite. Stick a fork in him. He's done!
Dramacrats
Desisto or DeSoto? Which is it?
If she's telling the truth why didn't why come forward earlier?
Because it's beginning to look like she could be delusional and has a troubling history. If that's the case, she made it up after finding out he was gay.
Guys - click on the link in the article - that's where it has the words "two-page dossier" - and download what the law firm got out of the Maassachusetts public records on the sister. She is a train wreck. The Mass. child Protective Services took her 3 kids from her, and the kids, two of whom are adults now, have restraining orders against her. She is a drug head, mentally ill, and unbalanced and violent. She's unemployable due to her mental unbalance, and one of her kids used to sleep with a knife under his pillow because he was so afraid of the stream of drug dealers and drug heads coming thru the house at all hours. It goes on - she's tried to sue both her brothers for various things and has threatened to kill herself if her father and ? else won't give her money. Also apparently tried to set up an escort service and tried to recruit her sister...
Reads a lot- all of that is meaningless. Facts don't matter any longer, only allegations. /sarc
Now that he came out of the closet, everything is coming out of the woodwork.
Don't know about all that, Reads, but the sheriff is HOT!
Tom this isn't a dating site............focus.
Sorry gtouch we have to live in this world
She does sound like a whack job. My only problem is if this was a Democrat, all heck would be braking lose! Why does someone who is gay, belong to a party that hates and despises who they are? I don't get it.
Gays have different beliefs just like everyone else. There is a whole group of gay Republicans they are called the log cabin republicans (I don't know what the name means). But a lot of gays are fiscally conservative etc. so those tend to support Republican candidates. Not everyone is a one issue voter.
The "Log Cabin Republicans" are making a homage to the humble origins of Republican Abe Lincoln. There is a suspicion, unconfirmed, that Lincoln may have had an affair with a Mr. Speed, based on some of Lincolns writings, he was rather fond of Mr. Speed.
the "log"
And she chooses now to say something..............smear campaign at it's finest folks. Next up, Somebody will say he used the "N" word, he kicked a baby, and, doesn't like cats. Only winner is this fight will be the illegals.
I better fire mine.
Talk about a guy having a bad year...........and we got 10 more months to go.
Wow, just when you think you can't stand your own family, you read about another family that's 10x worse. Based on the unproved allegations, the sister's a headcase and brother's a homosexual who likes teenage boys. I wonder how the mother and father are doing?!?