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Party to pull ad about masturbation and Sheriff candidate

Reported by: Corey Rangel
Email: crangel@abc15.com
Last Update: 10/02/2008 8:38 pm
Party to pull ad about masturbation and Sheriff candidate
Arpaio's election ad makes personal attacks against Saban
Video Click the play button on the video window to the right to view the story

PHOENIX, AZ -- A controversial television ad that makes strong allegations against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's opponent for office will be pulled off the airwaves.

In an interview on KTAR-FM Thursday, Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen apologized to people who were offended and said the ad would come down immediately.

"Going forward here, I think we've made our point and once again I apologize if people are offended," said Pullen.  "I realize it was a hard tough ad but I didn't know any other way to do it."

The ad, paid for by the Republican Party, attacks Democratic candidate for sheriff Dan Saban with claims of rape and masturbation.

Video RAW: KTAR interview

Video RAW VIDEO: Watch the Ad

Among the allegations, the ad claims Saban misled a government agency about allegations of rape.

"For Arpaio to call me a rapist, when he knows I was a victim of child abuse, is a cowardly lie. The voters of this county can no longer endorse a sheriff who blames victims of child abuse for crimes against themselves," said Saban.

Saban also called Arpaio "a liar and a coward."

Saban has said he was abused as a child by his stepmother. She later went on to accuse him of rape. Charges were never filed.

The ad also alleges that Saban masturbated on county time.

KTAR's Darrell Ankarlo said Saban told him the incident in question happened when he was 20 years old.

Saban apparently told Ankarlo he was home, on break for lunch, when the incident happened.

Arpaio said he had no comment on the ad, saying neither he nor his office were involved with it.

When asked if the ad would air again, Pullen said, "I think at this point it's aired. We've made our point. We don't need to air it anymore. I don't think you'll be seeing that ad again."

Saban is scheduled to hold a 2 p.m. news conference.

Stay with ABC15.com for updates.
Copyright 2008 The E.W. Scripps Co. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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