Former Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block Jr.
Former Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block Jr. has been arrested for a third time since entering into a plea bargain on charges that led to his resignation; he has also been booted from a drug court program and could face prison time.
From The Santa Fe New Mexican:
“The New Mexican has confirmed that Block, who was jailed Tuesday for violating the conditions of his participation in the First Judicial District Court’s Adult Drug Court program, has been kicked out of the program.
“…Block was booked into the Santa Fe County jail at 3:12 p.m. Tuesday after being issued a remand order charging an unspecified violation of the terms of the Drug Court program. Violations commonly indicate a failed drug test, although police and court officials are prohibited from disclosing specifics.
“At two different court hearings – Sept. 28 and Oct. 26 – Block pleaded guilty to various felony offenses including fraudulent use of a state-issued gas card, embezzling public funds during his 2008 campaign for office, identity theft and violations of campaign-finance laws.
“…Since he was dismissed from Drug Court with Tuesday’s violation, the court will now proceed to final sentencing. The hearing has not yet been scheduled in state District Judge Michael Vigil’s court.
“The plea agreement states that the court can now impose a sentence ranging from probation to 4 1/2 years in prison.”
Read the full article here.