Marc E. Schiff, the architect who has admitted to playing an integral role in the
The New Mexico Board of Examiners for Architects has agreed to accept Schiff’s voluntary surrender of his license to be an architect in
Schiff has agreed to not practice or refer to himself as an architect until after he serves as a witness in federal criminal cases against former Senate President Manny Aragon and three others charged in what prosecutors call a complex scheme to bilk taxpayers out of $4.2 million.
Schiff, the former president of the architect firm that designed the courthouse, has pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy and one felony count of mail fraud. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum prison sentence of five years and a $250,000 fine. The mail fraud charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. Both could also result in restitution.
Two others have also pleaded guilty in the case.
The board, in its news release, stated that, once Schiff has concluded his testimony in the federal cases, it will take up the alleged violations of the New Mexico Architectural Act.
The board issued notice in May that it would consider suspending or revoking Schiff’s license. It’s a violation of the code to offer payments or gifts to a government official “with the intent of influencing the official’s judgment in connection with a prospective or existing project in which the architect is interested.”
Schiff admits to padding and falsifying invoices and passing on the stolen money to the others involved. He says he believes he had to do it or he would lose lucrative contracts to design the facility.
The board will also consider allegations that Schiff engaged in gross negligence, incompetency or misconduct in the practice of architecture.