Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block Jr.
With calls for the resignation of Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block Jr. thus far not resulting in him stepping down, House Republicans plan to ask Speaker Ben Luján to create a committee to consider impeachment.
Rep. Nate Gentry, R-Albuquerque, confirmed that Minority Leader Tom Taylor is preparing a letter to Luján asking him to create the committee to consider removing the scandal-plagued Block from office.
“There’s clearly a pattern of abuse by Commissioner Block,” Gentry said. “We need to review the evidence and, if necessary, begin the impeachment process.”
The last time the House considered impeachment was in 2005, but then-State Treasurer Robert Vigil, who faced federal charges including extortion, resigned before the House could act.
Block was quoted by the Albuquerque Journal today as saying he doesn’t know whether he’ll resign.
“My decision will be based on what’s best for my constituents,” the Journal quoted him as saying.
Earlier today, the other members of the PRC – two Democrats and two Republicans – called on the Democrat Block to resign. They join a bipartisan group of officials that includes Gov. Susana Martinez and Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier Gonzales in seeking Block’s resignation.
Block and his father are facing felony and misdemeanor charges related to misusing the state’s public financing system during Block’s 2008 election. Though a judge initially dropped some of the charges on a technicality, they were reinstated last week.
Since those charges were reinstated, several new scandals have come to light.
- First, the public learned that Block’s government-funded gas card was used more than once in a day on a number of occasions, sometimes minutes apart at multiple gas stations around Santa Fe and Española. That’s prompted an investigation by the state auditor.
- Then voters learned that Block was driving a state vehicle while his license was suspended.
- And on Monday, police confirmed that Block is “a suspect in a stolen motor vehicle case.” According to police, Block took the vehicle from a Santa Fe dealership for a test drive on July 13 and never returned it. After it was reported stolen last week, police found it parked near downtown Santa Fe.
Block has given explanations for some of the controversies. He says he isn’t responsible for the multiple gas charges and gave his card to others. He said he didn’t return the car to the dealership because he accidentally left the keys in Los Angeles and the car was reported stolen before they could be mailed back.
Those explanations are earning him little sympathy from officials in either major political party.
Update, 6 p.m.
Here’s what Taylor said in a news release:
“We have a serious situation that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. It is up to the Legislature to determine whether or not the allegations surrounding Commissioner Block warrant further action.”
You can read his letter to Luján here.
Also, Rep. Eliseo Alcón, D-Milan, sent this by e-mail:
“I would consider hearing a resolution to impeach Jerome Block, Jr.I would also be inclined to hear the impeachment of Patrick Lyons for many misguided action at the State Land Office.”
A prior version of this posting incorrectly stated that House Republicans want Martinez to put Block’s impeachment on the agenda for the September special session. Whether that’s necessary is still being researched.