Bush says Gonzales was treated unfairly

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President Bush today defended outgoing Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, saying he had been treated unfairly while announcing that he had accepted his resignation. “After months of unfair treatment that has created a harmful distraction at the Justice Department, Judge Gonzales decided to resign his position, and I accept his decision,” Bush said at a brief news conference in Texas. “It’s sad that when we live in a time when a talented and honorable person like Alberto Gonzales is impeding (sic) from doing important work because his good name was dragged through the mud for political reasons.” Bush called Gonzales “a man of integrity, decency and principle.” You can watch Bush make his statement by clicking here. You can read Gonzales’ resignation letter here, and read the text of the statement he gave earlier today here. Continue Reading

Domenici says Gonzales’ resignation was ‘inevitable’

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U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, whose popularity has taken a dip in recent months because of his role in the U.S. attorney scandal, released a statement today calling Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ resignation “inevitable.” “His situation was a distraction to the Department of Justice and its attempt to carry out its important duties,” the GOP senator said. “I look forward to reviewing the president’s nominee for attorney general carefully and objectively.” Both Domenici and U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., are subjects of preliminary inquiries that cold turn into full investigations because of their involvement in the U.S. attorney scandal. Both called former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias in October to inquire about a public corruption investigation that was rumored at the time to involve high-ranking Democrats and, earlier this year, led to the indictment of former Senate President Manny Aragon. Iglesias claims he refused pressure from the two to speed indictments in time to sway voters in November, when Wilson was up for re-election and in a tough contest. Two months later, he was fired without being given reason. Continue Reading

Open-government champion Bob Johnson dies

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Bob Johnson, a longtime champion for sunshine laws who ran the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, has died. He suffered a stroke Saturday morning and died that evening, the Associated Press reported. He was 84. Johnson worked with me over the years on a number of controversies and was a mentor. I’ll have more later today, but I wanted to give you the immediate news. Continue Reading

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resigns

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Alberto Gonzales, who as U.S. attorney general was responsible for the controversial firings last year of eight U.S. attorneys and has been dogged by scandal for months, has resigned. The Department of Justice plans to make an official announcement at 8:30 a.m. Mountain Standard Time, the Associated Press is reporting, and President Bush is expected to comment on the resignation later today. The New York Times, which broke the story, reported that Gonzales submitted his resignation in a telephone conversation with the president on Friday. A series of scandals dogged the last few months of Gonzales’ tenure, but the chain of events that led to his resignation was set in motion by the December firings of the U.S. attorneys that included David Iglesias of New Mexico. Iglesias was the most outspoken of those who were fired and certainly had a hand in forcing Gonzales out. Continue Reading

Most who vote in poll say city is on wrong track

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The majority of those who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site said the City of Las Cruces is not moving in the right direction in terms of growth and development. Of 155 voters, 90, or 58 percent, said the city is not moving in the right direction, while 51, or 33 percent, said it is moving in the right direction, and 14, or 9 percent, said they don’t know. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

One charged, four on leave in NMSU facilities probe

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One employee is facing two misdemeanor charges and four were placed on leave this week as a result of a New Mexico State University investigation that has identified a number of problems in the Office of Facilities and Services. In addition, authority over OFS has been moved from a senior vice president to a team led by an administrator who works directly for the president as the university begins to address the problems. The action taken this week follows the completion of an audit and a months-long investigation by the university police department into a host of complaints about abuse at the department. Christina Chavez Kelley, the senior assistant to President Michael Martin who was placed in charge of OFS this week, confirmed that the audit and an internal review revealed problems including “unauthorized use of NMSU property and equipment, time card accuracy, excessive use of overtime, control of inventory, use of petty cash and conflicts of interest.” The criminal investigation, in which the NMSU police were assisted by the sheriff’s department and FBI, quickly narrowed in May to focus on allegations that a few employees used university equipment, funds and resources for construction projects at their homes. That investigation is complete, District Attorney Susana Martinez said, and her office is currently reviewing it to determine whether further criminal charges are warranted. The misdemeanor charges already brought against roofer Rene Quezada were filed by the NMSU police, not the district attorney, Police Chief Jaime Chavez confirmed. Continue Reading

Former deputy insurance superintendent arrested

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A former state deputy insurance superintendent was arrested today on public-corruption charges, the Santa Fe New Mexican is reporting. Joseph Ruiz, 66, was scheduled to be arraigned in Albuquerque this afternoon, the newspaper reported. Until then, his indictment remained sealed. I was unable to reach the U.S. attorney’s office for more information, and the newspaper hasn’t yet reported further details. Ruiz was arrested by the FBI after the indictment was handed down Thursday. Continue Reading

Guv reaches out to American Indians, Hispanics

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Gov. Bill Richardson had an opportunity to capitalize on being the most prominent presidential candidate to attend Thursday’s Prez on the Rez forum, and he seized it. Richardson said the event, the first of its kind on American Indian land, was a pivotal step for American Indians. “It shows that this is in my judgment a step forward, although it is negative and embarrassing that not every candidate is here,” he said. “Every candidate” included the three frontrunners – Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards – who all declined invitations. Richardson was joined at the forum only by Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel. Continue Reading

Chavez announces run for city council

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Isaac Chavez formally has formally announced that he’s running for the District 4 seat on the Las Cruces City Council being vacated by Steve Trowbridge. Chavez, a local businessman and fifth-generation Las Crucen, said in a news release that he’s running on a platform of promoting economic growth and greater public participation in planning and annexation processes. District 4 includes much of the city’s west side. “Now that the secret is out about how amazing and safe Las Cruces is, our district needs a leader with the energy and vision to see to it that our wonderful city reaps as many of the economic benefits as possible,” Chavez said. “I believe that life in Las Cruces can be better for everyone. Continue Reading

Fifth person indicted in widening Metro Court scandal

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A fifth person has been indicted in the widening Bernalillo County Metro Courthouse scandal. Michael Murphy acted as a right-hand man for former Court Administrator Toby Martinez, prosecutors allege in the new indictment charging him today in the case. Read the new indictment by clicking here. Prosecutors say the group bilked taxpayers out of a combined $4.2 million by inflating and falsifying invoices on the project. Three have pleaded guilty for their roles and, as of today, five others, including Martinez and former Senate President Manny Aragon, are facing felony charges including conspiracy, mail fraud and money laundering. Continue Reading

Liveblogging the Prez on the Rez forum

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I haven’t done any liveblogging in awhile, so I’m going to do it for today’s Prez on the Rez forum involving Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel. It begins at 4:30 p.m. Check back throughout for updates. • 4:48 p.m. The forum has yet to begin. They’re having problems with the sound. • 5:08 p.m. So much for that idea. Continue Reading

New poll has guv seven points behind leader in Iowa

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A new Iowa poll places Gov. Bill Richardson only seven points behind the leader in a narrowing race in the first state to hold a presidential nominating contest. The new poll conducted by Strategic Vision has John Edwards at 23 percent, Barack Obama at 22 percent, Hillary Clinton at 21 percent and Richardson at 14 percent. Thirteen percent said they are undecided. The poll was conducted Friday-Sunday, at the tail end of a week of campaigning in the state by all four candidates that culminated with a nationally televised debate pundits agreed was Richardson’s best to date. The survey of 600 likely Democratic caucus goers has a margin of error of 4 percent. Continue Reading

After a brief climb, Domenici’s support falls again

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Support for U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., has dropped once again as he faces a barrage of criticism from the left and right, but he still hasn’t drawn a well-known challenger to take him on next year. In the newest SurveyUSA Poll, Domenici’s approval rating has fallen to 52 percent, one point above his lowest rating since the monthly survey began in May 2005. I’ve already reported on the Sierra Club’s assault on Domenici for opposing a requirement that electric companies derive 15 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020. On Wednesday, Americans United For Change began airing this television ad in the Albuquerque market attacking Domenici for “still standing with President Bush on Iraq, voting time and again against bringing our troops home.” And the conservative Freedom’s Watch is airing these ads in various markets, including Albuquerque, to pressure members of Congress to support Bush’s Iraq strategy. Domenici has broken ranks with the president, supporting a bipartisan proposal to begin withdrawing American combat troops from Iraq as soon as next spring, but he opposes cutting war funding or bringing the troops home now. Continue Reading

Another Democrat to fight for right to battle Wilson

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Another Democrat has entered the race to take on U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., next year. Jason Call is more liberal than the frontrunner in the race, Martin Heinrich, and the other Democrats, Bryon Paez and Jon Adams. He states on his Web site that he’s running “because I think I can do a better job for the people of New Mexico and the United States than either the current officeholder, Heather Wilson (R), or any of the other candidates. … The American people deserve a change from the pandering, corporate-owned politicians who squander tax dollars on this illegal, immoral, and unjust occupation of a sovereign nation, while refusing to provide even the most basic of human needs, adequate healthcare, to the taxpayers.” Call is a high-school math teacher in Albuquerque who states on his site that he “became active in the antiwar movement during my second year in college when Bush 41 invaded Iraq.” He states that he is a member of a number of “progressive activist causes” including the Green Party, though he’s running as a Democrat for Congress. Call says he won’t take any corporate, political action committee or union money and won’t accept individual contributions of greater than $100. “Why would I make such a commitment? Continue Reading

Zamora considering running for lieutenant governor

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Geno Zamora is considering running for lieutenant governor in 2010, further crowding the field of actual and potential Democratic candidates more than three years before the election. Former Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron has already announced that she’s seeking the state’s No. 2 job, and Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano announced this week that he’s running. And, as reported by the Santa Fe New Mexican, former Santa Fe County Commissioner Javier Gonzales, a regent at New Mexico Highlands in Las Vegas, is also thinking about running. Zamora, a former chief counsel for Gov. Bill Richardson, told me he is considering “how I can better serve the people of my state and work to improve the lives of its citizens. Continue Reading