Cochise County uses RICO funds for scholarships, Governor signs bill to tighten rules on asset seizures by law enforcement. State auditors found Babeu and Voyles failed to follow procedures and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on unauthorized purchases. Paul Babeu, Martha McSally struggle to respond to Donald Trump fallout [14] Babeu was reelected in 2012 with 53.3% of the votes, winning out over Democrat and independent candidates. I believe in letting people live the way that they feel like they need to live., To spend time with Lamb is to realize just how far a lawman can drift from the law itself and how little people seem to care, as long as he says the right stuff on TV. Papi. Lamb often invokes the importance of the rule of law but says of the Jan. 6 rioters, I guarantee you those people are very loving, Christian people. He led Barrett by just 145 votes. Home - Paul Babeu for Congress and last updated 5:01 AM, Mar 30, 2016. He says DeRose demanded the passwords to Babeu's websites and social-media accounts. Babeu ran for Arizona's 4th congressional district in the 2012 elections to the United States House of Representatives but withdrew and came out as gay after a personal controversy. [24], A spokesman for Babeu denied the allegations and described them as "sensationalist". Babeu had previously deniedany knowledge or awareness of the abuse. For questions about programming, membership or anything else about KJZZ, please visit kjzz.org/contact. 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. Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu just won a primary for a competitive congressional seat in Arizona. Sheriff Paul Babeu outed in homosexual scandal by Mexican lover [5], At age 17, while still in high school, Babeu campaigned against a proposed raise for North Adams, Massachusetts, City Council members. He said the county has implemented a new system of checks and balances that require multiple levels of approval, explanations of how recipients intend to use moneyand receipts documenting expenses. He sarcastically thanks Babeu for "notifying me that you were involuntarily forcing an 'at-will' position on mepunitively reducing my pay by approximately $15,000 [and] handing me as good a 'Constructive Termination' cause of action as I have ever seen.". Orozco says he created and maintained Babeu's campaign websites, his Facebook page, and his Twitter account. [7], In 1997, he ran for mayor of North Adams against incumbent Democrat John Barrett III. The decision by the AG's Office doesn't mean Babeu and Voyles have been cleared of wrongdoing. Two of Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu's Sisters Endorse His Rival When reached Tuesday, a spokesman declined to comment. The audit said those expenditures effectively bypassed the county's purchasing procedures, which require various levels of approval. Babeu was first elected as sheriff in 2008. Shutterstock. [32] O'Halleran defeated Babeu, receiving 51% of the vote to Babeu's 44%. Paul Babeu - Joe Biden Bio Paul Babeu was the tenth of eleven children born into the family. A federal grand jury is investigating how the Pinal County Sheriffs Office handled profits from seized property under former Sheriff Paul Babeu. We dont go to a shooting range as much as an open, sandy field that Lamb says belongs to a friend of his. 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. Republican Sheriff Paul Babeu, Outed as Gay by Ex-Lover, Running Again Raymond Babeu was a longtime employee of the area's electric utility who was also active in local politics. ", (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. The Arizona Attorney General's Office said Wednesday it would not prosecute former Sheriff Paul Babeu and former County Attorney Lando Voyles for what it described as "eyebrow-raising" expenditures. "But that didn't rise to the level of criminal activity.". (Many job-safety rankings consider being a roofer more dangerous than being a police officer.). 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.". and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Later, rioters broke a window as they yelled out for Doug Ducey, the Republican governor who had certified Bidens victory in Arizona. 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. I dont know how loud we have to get before they start to listen to us and know that we will no longer tolerate them stripping our freedoms away, he said. The following February, Jose Orozco, who was an undocumented immigrant, claimed that Babeu and Orozco had been lovers since meeting in 2006 on an online dating site. Become a member to support the independent voice of Phoenix He barely seems to sweat. Time on the screen says 5:02 p.m. . independent local journalism in Phoenix. On Jan. 6, the day rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington, Lamb appeared at a rally in Phoenix to protest the presidential election results. Doug Barrett for POLITICO. 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.. 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. Doug Ducey in 2017 signed a lawto increase oversight ofRICO expenditures and give people a better ability to challengeforfeiture laws. To date, the movements largest formal organization is the Constitutional Sheriffs and Police Officers Association, formed in 2011 by former sheriff Richard Mack, who told me the association has attracted more than 700 sheriffs to its events and trainings. Senator John McCain and U.S. Lamb has appeared multiple times with Trump at the White House and other political events. If hes re-elected as sheriff, Babeu says he plans to continue to battle drug trafficking in the county. Yet he styles himself as the American Sheriff a moniker around which he has spent the past several years trying to build a national brand as a fervent defender of law enforcement. He also argues the mob that overtook the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 was more heavily policed than the Black Lives Matter movement. Lambs first law enforcement job was with the Salt River Police Department in neighboring Maricopa County beginning in 2006. Of the total amount awarded to the foundation over the three years, $230,000 was initiated by Babeu or one of his employees, the audit found. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Article It could be one of the most competitive House seats in. All but a fraction of the foundation's money came from Pinal County's RICO fund, and the money was used to buy items such as automatic weapons for deputies, supplies, police dogs, horses and feed, according to the lawsuit. Florence is the county seat. "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. The National Sheriffs Association, of which Lamb is a member, has a model code of ethics for sheriffs that prohibits using the office for private gain, among other things. Descended from a long line of Mormons and still an unabashed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he grew up all over the world, he is fond of saying, including the Philippines, Panama and Argentina, where he did his Mormon mission. He said his own review of RICO funds indicated past requests were made in round numbers and did not require itemization. Your contact infoWe'll be in touch if we look into your question. Babeau said he intended to balance the department's budget by auctioning the equipment. Phoenix's independent source of CLARIFICATION: This article has been updated to include the results of an into allegations made against Sheriff Paul Babeu. They are watching a movie . It could be his size hes 63, 240 pounds, or so he writes in his self-published book, American Sheriff: Traditional Values in a Modern World. They contended the foundation operated as a pass-through for funds for Babeu and Voyles. Join the New Times community and help support But on Nov. 12, he appeared on One American News Network and said the enthusiasm he saw for Trump in Arizona does not compute with the election results. Karns, however, would have faced a nearly $15,000 pay cut. . FLORENCE, Ariz. The first thing to know about Mark Lamb, the sheriff of Pinal County, Arizona, is that he just plain looks like a sheriff. Initially, Lamb worked in pest control, with a focus on pigeons. Since taking office, Lamb also has appeared with the Federation for American Immigration Reform, an anti-immigration organization that the Southern Poverty Law Center considers a hate group. Congressman and have endorsed one of his rivals for the GOP primary in Arizona's First. "Jose came to our firm because he felt he was being intimidated, and he was in fear for his life," Weiss-Riner says. He insists he doesnt have political ambitions beyond the sheriffs office, though. Were going to find out who is willing to die for freedom. He also makes direct appeals to citizens, an effort that looks more dangerous after former President Donald Trump riled up supporters on Jan. 6. Arizona Sheriff's Warning to Hikers About 'Mexican Drug Assassins' Is Babeu first mentioned the alleged crimes on Saturday, when he held a press conference to discuss Jose's allegations. If Fox calls, what are they going to do for me? But it didnt take long for him to begin leaning into national issues. Sheriff Paul Babeu: Arizona border hawk, rising conservative star Of 43 groups that did provide one, documentation was incomplete, the audit found. Sheriff Paul Babeu is a decorated lawman, Iraq war veteran, and a corruption fighter. If it doesnt benefit Pinal County, I dont need to be on the news, he said at the time. Building off his social media popularity he has more than 300,000 Facebook followers, high for a sheriff and his desire to elevate law enforcement, this past May he announced the launch of the American Sheriff Network, which for $4.99 month allows viewers to watch 10- to 20-minute segments showing sheriffs and their deputies as they respond to calls for service a mix of sheriff propaganda and reality television. 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 . He became the Republican nominee for Arizona's 1st congressional district in the 2016 elections after winning the primary on August 30, 2016. Help us fight for you and support local journalism.Subscribe to azcentral.com today. Babeu was tapping RICO funds to pay for Sheriff's Office travel as early as 2011. Paul Babeu, Lando Voyles seek apology, retraction from new Pinal County On his person, Lamb has a 9mm Glock pistol, plus a long knife, a taser, handcuffs and extra ammunition. 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. Copyright 2023 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD. 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. According to Babeu's website, "Pinal County is the number one pass through county in all of America for drug and human smuggling. It was the month after the insurrection, with Joe Biden in the White House and Democrats in the majority in Congress, that Lamb announced the launch of Protect America Now, his new coalition of currently serving sheriffs Lamb calls them patriots with a stated mission of educating Americans about how our Sheriffs and the law enforcement community are standing for our Constitution and law and order. Its mostly a messaging operation: The group runs ads and has written letters to the Biden administration. There was the waitress who told Lamb he needed to gain weight. The school closed in 2004, following the death of its founder Michael DeSisto. When their relationship soured, Orozco claimed Babeu had threatened to have him deported unless he signed a contract swearing him to secrecy. 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. Records showBabeu spent more than $53,000 to send 25 people to a weeklong conference in St. Louisat which he received a national award. I have to protect the families of my county, even in the absence of the federal government. See also: Babeu Turns Distortion of Truth Into an Art Form 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. But Jose Orozco refused. During his tenure he served a tour in Iraq and spent 17 months deployed in Arizona as a commander with Operation Jump Start (Southwest Border Mission). The groups website lists seven additional sheriffs at least five of whom have been accused of some form of misconduct as advisory committee members. "[30], Babeu ran for Arizona's 1st congressional district in the 2016 elections. RAW VIDEO: Watch Babeu talk DeSisto punishments - KNXV Unless like today. The decision comes months after state auditors found Babeu and Voyles mismanaged more than $2 million in so-called racketeering, or RICO,funds. A notice of claim -- a precursor to a lawsuit -- usually is filled with enough details to establish the basis for a lawsuit, and probably would reveal details about this fresh rift between Karns and Babeu, seemingly one-time allies. Two of Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu's siblings believe their brother is unfit to be a U.S. Babeu could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. 6:00AM. 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. This 6-month-long detailed search led to the termination of Arpaio's top two deputies. You brother will also be contacted. 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. But in a solidly conservative part of Arizona, Lamb so far has had plenty of leeway for more and more activities outside the county. Joint Border Security Advisory Committee Questions about the foundation also were raised in a 2015 federal lawsuit by attorneys from Perkins Coie and the American Civil Liberties Union. 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. Lambs nose for PR is apparent, and it extends beyond Protect America Now. During a July interview at a local caf here decked out in Old West paraphernalia, passersby interrupted to clasp hands heartily with him and chat. [27], Babeu dropped his congressional bid on May 11, 2012; instead he sought re-election as sheriff. Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu on gay marriage: "You can't legislate 6:31PM. Privacy Policy | FCC Public File | Contest Rules Babeu was tapping RICO funds to pay for Sheriff's Office travel as early as 2011. In fact, Lambs constituents seem to love him: He was unopposed when he ran for reelection last fall and won another four-year term with 97 percent of the vote. [16] Babeu led the third largest sheriff's office in Arizona with 700 full-time employees. And I will serve the people where I can.. But his interpretation of the phrase generally implies opposition to whatever rules or laws he deems overly intrusive. Voyles said any suggestion that he and Babeu did something unethical or illegal is unfounded.. He asked the auditor general to recommend the best way to use those funds. Babeu has been a national leader on the need to secure our border and stop illegal immigration and drug and human trafficking. One day, in the mid-2000s, he went on a ride-along with a neighbor who worked in law enforcement and, armed with courage and a flashlight, Lamb says, he found a suspect they were after hiding in a trailer. 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. Auditors said Babeu and Voyles also sent$683,406 to a nonprofit called the Arizona Public Safety Foundationmanaged by members of the sheriff's staff, a potential violation ofconflict-of-interest laws. Babeu didn't pay him for his online services, he claims. Orozco says he met Babeu in October 2006 on gay.com, a dating website. They exchanged more texts on September 6. 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. Lately, Lamb has been supporting the campaign of Kari Lake, a Trump-endorsed former Fox anchor running for Arizonas open governors seat in 2022. In his book, he describes spending much of his childhood in Hawaii, where, he told me, I was a minority., Lamb, an ardent defender of the Second Amendment, practices at a shooting range in Pinal County, Ariz. The foundation used RICO funds from Pinal County to help support Sheriff's Office activities and functions. Lamb is at far right. [26] Babeu stepped down as co-chair of Mitt Romney's presidential campaign in Arizona, but received the continued support of U.S. See also: Babeu Sticks It to Taxpayers and a Volunteer Rescue Team. Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu denied claims he tried to threaten the man, a Mexican immigrant and a former campaign volunteer, with deportation if their past relationship was made public. "[18] Babeu also helped U.S. Keating says her JP sibling had been living at the house Babeu is selling until recently, perhaps renting from the. Some locals here say he is focused more on playing a sheriff in the national spotlight than serving his constituents. Lamb loves it. Lavigne. The case was settled in April 2018, according to court records. (The spot got picked up on Fox.) The back of Lambs black Chevy Silverado 2500 HD contains his workaday weaponry, including an AR-15 SBR. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox.
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