MESA, AZ (CBS5) -
Sheriff Paul Babeu held a news conference over the weekend to discuss the allegations, but CBS 5 News wasn't satisfied with the answers.
Reporter Elizabeth Erwin sat down one-on-one with Babeu to ask some tough questions.
"I'm not ashamed of who I am, but at the same time, I haven't waved a flag. This is my personal, my private life. He started because he was jilted and there was no relationship personally there any longer, wanted to harm me," Babeu said.
Babeu blamed this whole mess on a jilted ex-lover.
"The controversy here doesn't swirl around your sexuality," said reporter Elizabeth Erwin. "Let's start with the allegations of deportation. Did you threaten to deport this gentleman?"
"Not only that's completely false, and this is where we're showing you how this started," Babeu said.
Babeu said he fired his ex, who also helped with websites and Twitter pages, after the ex allegedly hacked into Babeu's accounts and stole information.
Babeu said this only relates to his ex's business, not his legal status.
"You have a website design company, who would ever trust you if you're stealing your client's information and posting false information?" Babeu said.
Speaking of information, what about those risque pictures? They're the ones Babeu said were meant to be private and are now anything but.
"Sheriff, as a public figure, don't you realize you probably shouldn't put those photos out there in the first place?" Erwin asked.
"I wish I hadn't," Babeu replied.
Could those private texts now cause a problem with his job?
"PCSO policy 2.8.2 Code of Conduct says all employees shall conduct themselves in a manner to not discredit themselves or PCSO. Do you think you have?" Erwin asked.
"Absolutely not. And here's where everybody has the right, as an American, for a personal, private life. As I do, even as an elected official," Babeu said.
As far as a criminal investigation, a representative with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office says it's not likely one will be filed.
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Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu
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