Gov. Bill Richardson signed today a bill that would give citizens, including government employees, protection and incentive to expose government officials and contractors who defraud taxpayers.
“This bill sends a strong message to those who would try to cheat the taxpayers and the state of their money,”
House Bill 770, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, protects those who opt to sue the state in an attempt to expose government corruption. Such a lawsuit, when filed, would remain sealed and would be presented to the state agency with authority to prosecute or file civil suit – the attorney general or district attorney, in most instances.
Under the provisions in the bill, the agency could prosecute or sue, and the citizen would be compensated.
If the state agency opted against taking action, the citizen could proceed with his or her lawsuit, and could personally receive between 15 and 30 percent of the damages awarded at the conclusion of the suit, if he or she wins the case.
The bill also protects such individuals from retaliation.
Cervantes and Attorney General Gary King also spoke at the bill-signing ceremony.
“We think that this is a particularly important tool to prevent fraud against the state,” King said.
Cervantes told the governor the bill would help protect people like Frances Williams, a member of the former Region VII Housing Authority Board who first blew the whistle on the problems that eventually toppled the entire state system last year.
After going to the governor’s office and then, when she received little response, to the media, Williams was nearly forced off the board by her peers and was sued by the former director of the Region III authority, Vincent “Smiley” Gallegos. The defamation lawsuit was later dismissed.
“This protects people who expose fraud and I’m pleased to join you here today,” Cervantes told the governor.