In a written statement, he wrote "The investigation determined that Babeu did not commit any criminal violations and further concluded that, although Orozco conducted himself in a manner that may constitute a violation of the law, there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction on anything more than a misdemeanor charge. Arizona's forfeiture laws direct proceeds into the coffers of the prosecutors and law-enforcement agencies involved in seizing the items. Babeu retired in September 2010 after 20 years of service. ", A couple of minutes later, Babeu followed with: "And you say you have loved me? . The foundation used RICO funds from Pinal County to help support Sheriff's Office activities and functions. We'll be in touch if we look into your question. The man's allegations were first published Friday in the Phoenix New Times, an alternative weekly magazine. (There is not, according to multiple courts; an audit in Arizona also reaffirmed Bidens victory there.) Contact ABC15 Investigator Dave Biscobing at dbiscobing@abc15.com. We dont go to a shooting range as much as an open, sandy field that Lamb says belongs to a friend of his. Join the New Times community and help support Phoenix's independent source of Florence is the county seat. Foundation Executive Director Joseph Trasser has declined to discuss the subpoena and in March said the FBI probe of Babeu and Voyles "is not our issue.". He says DeRose demanded the passwords to Babeu's websites and social-media accounts. See also: Babeu Turns Distortion of Truth Into an Art Form Its not clear if the FBI has opened an official case. The subpoena seeks eight years of files, spreadsheets, accounting documents, emails and any other internal records concerning RICO funds from 2008 to 2016, when Babeu was in office. [6], In 2002, he moved to Arizona to pursue a law enforcement career as a police officer for the city of Chandler, Arizona. Melissa Weiss-Riner, Orozco's attorney, confirms her client's account. Grand jury investigates Paul Babeu's use of RICO funds as Pinal County "One of the reasons is that record-keeping was so poor.". A group of kids gathered around Lambs truck for sheriff-branded stickers. 2023 www.azcentral.com. Records showBabeu spent more than $53,000 to send 25 people to a weeklong conference in St. Louisat which he received a national award. If you're the victim of fraud, waste or abuse, reach him at robert.anglen@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8694. 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. "If what [Babeu's attorney] says is correct [about Orozco's being illegal], either the sheriff had a long relationship with someone he knew was undocumented, while all the time being Mr. Bluster about the border and using it for political gain," or he threatened to deport someone he just broke up with, Merritt says. (According to Vale, however, Lamb has not officially endorsed Lake or any other candidate in the race.). Auditors said the pair funneled money to community groups without proper oversight and sometimes without paperwork detailing how the money would be spent. [25] Babeu came out as gay on February 18, 2012, saying that his sexual orientation was the only factual statement from the allegations. The Anti-Defamation League recently released a report calling CSPOA an anti-government extremist group and citing public appearances Mack has made with white supremacist individuals or groups. Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu who became the face of Arizona border security nationally after he started stridently opposing illegal immigration threatened his Mexican ex-lover with. 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. "There wasdefinitely sloppy record-keeping and a lack of checks and balances," Ryan Anderson, the AG's director of communications, said. On Jan. 6, the day rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington, Lamb appeared at a rally in Phoenix to protest the presidential election results. The decision by the AG's Office doesn't mean Babeu and Voyles have been cleared of wrongdoing. But Jose Orozco refused. [13] He was the first Republican sheriff elected in the history of the county (founded in 1875). Ex-Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu hearts the shiny badge and spiffy uniform of his erstwhile office so much that he seems loath to relinquish it online. (In response to the incident, Texas passed a state law that forbids law enforcement agencies from partnering with reality television shows.) All of Lambs activities outside Pinal County raise the question of whether he is making money off this work. 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. (A federal judge later found Arpaio in criminal contempt of a court order to stop racially profiling Latino residents, but Trump later pardoned him.) | February 16, 2012 (Many job-safety rankings consider being a roofer more dangerous than being a police officer.). Explaining their use of RICO funds, Gaffney also said, Any request for RICO Funding by our office as you are aware has to be submitted in writing to either the County Attorneys Office if it is State RICO Funds.. 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. Phoenix's independent source of has expressed sympathy for the Jan. 6 rioters, spoke at a recent anti-vaccine rally in Phoenix, along with an estimated 138 currently serving sheriffs, unabashed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, defeated Babeus anointed successor in the primary, promised he would focus on building relationships within the county, has appeared with the Federation for American Immigration Reform, 650 employees and a $39 million annual budget, with a stated mission of educating Americans, The Arizona Republic investigated his charity, The state ethics committee investigated Lamb, A local newspaper also accused him of having an affair, a design sold by the right-wing shock jocks the Hodgetwins. Later, rioters broke a window as they yelled out for Doug Ducey, the Republican governor who had certified Bidens victory in Arizona. 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. Pinal CountySheriff Mark Lamb said Wednesday that RICO funds no longer serve as a slush fund. Babeu's and Voyles use of RICO funds has been questioned for years in lawsuits and investigations.

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