Usually, when an elected official calls a press conference, they are hoping the media shows up and the more media the better.

So, it was a bit surprising when KNXV Investigative Reporter Dave Biscobing was barred from a presser held by Pinal County Sheriff’ Paul Babeu. 

PCSO Director of Administration Tim Gaffney and another employee were standing at the door of the Sheriff’s Office headquarters when Biscobing approached with a photographer. Gaffney said the photographer was welcome but Biscobing was not.

KNXV says the  actions of Babeu’s office were an abuse of power; and attorneys said it’s a potential violation of the law.

So what got the Reporter banned from the building? It appears to go back to a story that Biscobing did in January. 

Biscobing launched a series of stories about Sheriff Babeu’s tenure running a therapeutic boarding school in Massachusetts.  Experts said the school horrifically abused its students and even tortured them.

The school was eventually forced to close after a state investigation.

Sheriff Babeu had previously denied having any “knowledge” of the abuse. But Biscobing obtained a home video showing Babeu praise the abusive practices in detail.

Seems the Sheriff was not a fan of that story one bit.

Here's the video of  Biscobing  being banned from the presser: