“There’s an elephant in the room, folks. Nobody’s bringing it up, but we all have an idea of what it is. The day that government exists just for politics and how it can benefit the principals of our municipalities is the day we’re all in trouble. And thank God we have three branches of government.”
That’s the money quote in an article published in the Albuquerque Journal this morning detailing allegations that Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez retaliated against a city airport operator because the company refused to provide free or discounted air service for travel to Mexico and during Chávez’s U.S. Senate campaign in 2007, and also because the company raised questions about how public money was being spent.
The quote came from District Judge Geraldine Rivera, who in August ordered the city to sign lease agreements it had negotiated with Bode Aero Services Inc., an operator at Double Eagle II airport on the city’s west side. She made her comment at that hearing, which was held when Bode sued in the dispute over contract negotiations.
There’s also a separate, federal lawsuit in which the allegation of retaliation is made.
The FBI is now investigating, the Journal reported, citing City Councilor Michael Cadigan, a critic of the mayor who said he has been interviewed by the agency.
The city says Bode is slinging mud in an attempt to win a better lease deal without competitive bidding, the Journal reported. It’s also worth noting that the state Court of Appeals has indicated that it will overturn the judge’s ruling ordering the city to sign the agreement with Bode.
Let’s also keep in mind that it’s an election year in the City of Albuquerque, folks. I’m not opining on how that plays into all of this… Just saying.