Sheriff probes mysterious donation to Richardson

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A state judge in Waco, Texas, wants to know why someone gave $2,300 to the presidential campaign of Gov. Bill Richardson, ostensibly in his name. District Judge Matt Johnson was asked by a friend about a $2,300 donation to Richardson last week, after the local newspaper listed local residents who had given to presidential candidates. Johnson was quick to point out that the newspaper stated the gift was from a Matt Johnston, with a “t,” and wasn’t him, according to an article published Sunday in the Waco Tribune-Herald. But the Republican judge kept getting calls all week, and he became concerned because the judicial code of conduct prohibits judges from publicly endorsing candidates. He wanted people to know he hadn’t given Richardson any money. Continue Reading

Newspaper takes comprehensive look at growth

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The Las Cruces Sun-News began on Sunday a five-part series examining the community’s rapid growth. The first two articles have been well-written, and the series appears to be a comprehensive look at the controversial topic. It comes in advance of next week’s vote by the Las Cruces City Council on whether to approve The Vistas at Presidio. On Sunday, the Sun-News ran an article looking at the bigger picture of growth – what’s happening and why, and whether the growth is good. Today, the newspaper examined the question of whether there’s enough water to sustain the city’s expansion. Continue Reading

Richardson cracks jokes, looks tired on Tonight Show

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Gov. Bill Richardson appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Friday night looking a bit tired but managing to crack a few jokes that drew laughter. Richardson got a laugh out of Leno when he responded to a question about his heritage. “My mother only spoke Spanish to me. She was Mexican,” Richardson said. “My father, he wouldn’t speak to me, but when he did, he would speak English. Continue Reading

Voters in non-scientific poll not happy with Domenici

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The majority of those who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site disapprove of the job Pete Domenici is doing as a U.S. senator. Of 149 voters, 92, or 62 percent, said they disapprove, while 49, or 33 percent, said they approve. Eight, or 5 percent, said they’re not sure whether they approve of the job Domenici is doing. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

NMSU steps into gray area by letting secret donors help pay salaries of president and basketball coach

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By using private money to supplement the salaries of its president and men’s basketball coach, New Mexico State University is stepping into an ethical gray area, and its leaders should tread carefully. On Thursday, the university announced a restructuring of men’s basketball coach Reggie Theus’ contract that increases his annual compensation to $446,000 per year. It’s a $100,000 increase that is donated entirely by the private sector. Theus or his new employer will have to pay about $1 million to buy out the contract if he doesn’t stay for two more years. Then today, the university Board of Regents approved a contract restructuring for President Michael Martin. Continue Reading

State’s higher education secretary quitting post

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Higher Education Secretary Beverlee J. McClure is leaving to take the position of president and CEO of the Association of Commerce and Industry. She’ll begin her new job in June, and the governor plans to appoint a search committee to find a replacement. Former New Mexico State University Provost Bill Flores was recently named deputy secretary of higher education, but he’s intent on staying in Las Cruces and may not be interested in the department’s top job in Santa Fe. “New Mexico is fortunate to have someone of Dr. McClure’s stature and experience,” Gov. Bill Richardson said in a news release. “I know that ACI will benefit from Beverlee’s leadership and I look forward to working with her in her new role. Continue Reading

UP Aerospace still searching for rocket

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The fact that UP Aerospace officials have been unable to locate the rocket they successfully launched into space on April 28 is gaining national attention. There was international interest in the historic launch from Spaceport America. But the rocket came down in rocky terrain covered in dense vegetation, and the area is not easily accessible. Since then, officials have been working to locate the rocket, and they say they’re within 1,300 feet of finding it. FOX News headlined its article on the topic “James ‘Scotty’ Doohan’s ashes lost in New Mexico mountains,” in reference to the Star Trek actor whose ashes were among those of 200 people that went into space on the rocket. Continue Reading

NMSU probe started broad, has become more focused

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Though investigators have scrutinized hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenditures as part of the probe of employees of New Mexico State University’s facilities department, they are now focused on a number of smaller construction projects at staffers’ homes. I reported earlier today that investigators suspected the potential loss could be hundreds of thousands of dollars but might be much smaller. I’m now told by two sources with knowledge of the investigation that it is likely smaller, and that investigators began by looking at a wide range of expenditures in an attempt to be thorough. There have certainly been rumors about misuse of time and equipment at the facilities department for years that would justify a broad probe. Though knowledge of the probe became public on Thursday, it’s been ongoing for several weeks, and has included the university police, Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department, FBI and financial auditors. Continue Reading

3 police agencies, auditors working on NMSU probe

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New Mexico State University confirmed late Thursday that it placed five employees of the facilities department on leave during an ongoing investigation into alleged misuse of funds and resources. The university released a statement confirming that one of the employees was Richard MacRorie, associate vice president of facilities for planning, physical resources and university relations. The news release stated that he was placed on leave not because he was accused of misusing funds, but “to ensure the investigation would be as effective as possible.” MacRorie has returned to work. Meanwhile, two sources with knowledge of the situation say investigators are looking into a number of issues related to the potential abuse of university funds and resources. Some allegations involve the use of facilities department resources on personal construction projects at employees’ homes. Continue Reading

FBI confirms involvement in NMSU facilities probe

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The FBI has confirmed that it’s assisting New Mexico State University police in the probe of allegations that facilities employees were using public funds and resources for personal construction projects on their homes. “We are providing investigative assistance to the NMSU police and NMSU with regards to that investigation,” said FBI spokesman Bill Elwell. He referred all other questions to university police, who are leading the investigation. Continue Reading

Police reporting directly to Martin on facilities probe

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Police investigators looking into the alleged misuse of funds and resources by employees of New Mexico State University’s facilities department will report to President Michael Martin to ensure the integrity of the investigation. The university police department is under Ben Woods, senior vice president for planning, physical resources and university relations. Woods also oversees the Office of Facilities and Services, which police are investigating. Martin said “the people who came forward” with allegations reported them directly to him. Because of that, and to ensure the integrity of the investigation, the president said he decided to have police report to him instead of Woods. Continue Reading

Hearing sheds no new light on U.S. attorney firings

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U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was grilled by a House panel today on last year’s firings of eight U.S. attorneys, including David Iglesias of New Mexico. According to the Associated Press, Gonzales didn’t say much more to the House Judiciary Committee than he did when he testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee last month. “My feelings and recollections about this matter have not changed,” Gonzales said today. This investigation is continuing, and the focus has really shifted to the White House’s involvement in the firings. It’s difficult to predict what will happen next. Continue Reading

NMSU employees accused of using school funds, resources for construction on personal homes

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A number of employees of New Mexico State University’s facilities department are under investigation on allegations that they used school funds for personal construction projects, the campus newspaper is reporting. The employees were placed on administrative leave last month, the Round Up reported. The investigation has been turned over to the NMSU police and the FBI, the paper reported. Employees have been told to keep quiet about the situation. The Round Up reported that at least three employees are accused, including Richard MacRorie, associate vice president of facilities for Planning, Physical Resources and University Relations; Paul Herrera, director of facilities maintenance for the department’s operations division; and John Salopek, construction supervisor for the department’s roofing and construction division. Continue Reading

Richardson climbs in polls, but not as fast as Clinton

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After showing gains in polls in Iowa and Nevada in recent weeks, Gov. Bill Richardson is slowly climbing in polls conducted this week in three additional states. But he’s still below the margin of error in California, Florida and Michigan. The newest polls, conducted by American Research Group, have Richardson at 3 percent in California and Florida and 2 percent in Michigan. That’s up from 1 percent in each of those states the last time surveys were done – January in California and Florida and February in Michigan. By contrast, Hillary Clinton gained 1 percent in California, 9 percent in Florida and 3 percent in Michigan. Continue Reading