Third Judicial District Judge Mike Murphy
State police on Thursday executed two search warrants as part of the ongoing investigation into allegations of bribery involving judges in Las Cruces, the Las Cruces Sun-News is reporting.
From the newspaper:
“New Mexico State Police on Thursday seized a computer from state District Court Judge Michael Murphy’s chambers and began a two-day process of copying hard drives belonging to Las Cruces businessman Edgar Lopez, whom Murphy is alleged to have given envelopes of cash, State Police Capt. Ryan Suggs confirmed.
“In both searches, officers were looking for ‘electronic communications’ and records, Suggs said Friday.”
Murphy is facing felony bribery charges and a misdemeanor charge of violating the state’s Governmental Conduct Act.
Prosecutors allege that Murphy solicited a bribe from potential judicial applicant Beverly Singleman, told District Judge Lisa Schultz to tell Singleman she needed to pay the bribe, and threatened to destroy Singleman’s reputation for telling others that he solicited a bribe from her.
No one besides Murphy has been charged or received notice that they may be indicted, but the investigation is ongoing. Murphy has pleaded not guilty to the felony charges.
A prior version of this article incorrectly stated that Murphy is charged with paying a bribe for his position.