Aragon and at least one current legislator at center of FBI public corruption investigation

If you were astonished by the state treasurer’s scandal, prepare for an even bigger shock in the near future.

At least, that’s the rumor surrounding an FBI probe into the construction of three relatively new government buildings in Albuquerque that are among the largest construction projects in the state’s history: the $41 million Bernalillo County Courthouse, the $34 million Metropolitan Courthouse and the $90 million Metropolitan Detention Center.

Now, thanks to some quality reporting by the Albuquerque Tribune, we know the investigation centers in part around former Senate leader Manny Aragon, the currently embattled president of New Mexico Highlands University.

Sources tell me the investigation also centers a current and powerful legislator.

Those projects involved some of the most prestigious construction and architectural companies in the state, including some that have worked on major projects in the Las Cruces area.

I and others around the state have been hearing for weeks that a grand jury has convened and Aragon and others might be indicted.

No wonder Gov. Bill Richardson, who orchestrated Aragon’s hiring at Highlands, has been silent as the regents try to fire him. This investigation might even be the reason for his attempted termination.

Former Bernalillo County Manager Juan Vigil told the Tribune he was interviewed six weeks ago by the FBI about construction of the jail, and the primary subject was Aragon.

“They had allegations that somebody had given Manny $70,000 to ensure a contractor … got the job,” Vigil told the Tribune.