SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The former editor of the Santa Barbara News-Press is denying the publisher's allegations that his work computer contained child pornography.

"It is false, defamatory, malicious and was published in full knowledge that it was untrue," former Editor Jerry Roberts told The New York Times.

The allegations were published Sunday in a front-page article in the paper. They deepened a conflict involving wealthy publisher, Wendy P. McCaw, who has had a contentious relationship with Roberts and other former editorial workers at her paper, the Times said Monday.

In part, current and past employees are in conflict with McCaw over her refusal to recognize their vote last fall to unionize.

The allegations against Roberts, outlined in an article on the News-Press Web site, deepened that antagonism, with McCaw's paper claiming that more than 15,000 images of child and adult pornography were found on Robert's work computer.

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