This article has been updated to clarify that Duran has not been in the office this week.
The chief of staff in the Secretary of State’s Office says it’s business as usual there in spite of the fact that the elected official who runs the office, Dianna Duran, is facing criminal charges related to abusing the state’s campaign finance system.
Courtesy photo
Dianna Duran
“Dianna Duran is still the secretary of state and is in constant contact with the leadership team in conducting the day-to-day operations of the office,” Chief of Staff Ken Ortiz told NMPolitics.net by email. “The office continues to conduct its daily operations as usual.”
“We have many daily obligations to meet and a good and professional staff focused on completing this work,” Ortiz wrote.
He also said Duran “has not been in the office this week, although our leadership team has been in contact with her in conducting the day-to-day operations of the office.”
NMPolitics.net reported Tuesday that experts believe the state’s campaign finance information appears to be safe in spite of the fact that Duran is accused of abusing that very system — which her office is in charge of maintaining.
Ortiz also said the system is safe.
“As always, campaign finance and lobbyist report records are submitted and stored electronically in a database. User roles and permissions are in place to appropriately restrict access to these records,” he wrote. “In addition, the system is backed up regularly and an audit trail of record activity is maintained. Also, our office has requested a full database archive be sent to us by the vendor that maintains the system.”
Duran’s attorney hasn’t responded to questions about her current involvement in the work at the secretary of state’s office or a question about whether she’s considering resigning. Duran is facing possible impeachment if she doesn’t resign.