Digging through mud in Doña Ana County’s Democratic DA primary
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Attacks aside, one notable fact that sets the candidates apart is challenger James Dickens’ massive fundraising lead over incumbent Mark D’Antonio. Continue Reading
Q&A: Auditor Keller says better funding his office would protect tax dollars
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At a time when his office is dealing with budget cuts, State Auditor Tim Keller says a better funded State Auditor’s Office “would be the single best way to protect taxpayer dollars in New Mexico.” Continue Reading
Some feel anxiety about Border Patrol checkpoints; others defend them
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My recent column prompted others to share their stories. Several expressed anxiety about the Border Patrol’s inland checkpoints. Others said the checkpoints are necessary. Continue Reading
Opposing civil asset forfeiture
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Some may think it odd that a friend of mine, Brad Cates, opposes civil asset forfeiture since years ago he was the director of the Department of Justice Forfeiture Program. Continue Reading
Dismissal of felony charges against jail director raises questions about sheriff’s actions
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The director of Doña Ana County’s jail now faces only a misdemeanor charge and will return to work Monday after a grand jury declined to indict him Thursday on the last felony charge he faced. Continue Reading
Impact of Panama Papers rockets around the world; U.S. officials react cautiously
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Reports published this week on the secretive industry that banks and lawyers use to hide the financial holdings of some of the world’s top leaders and billionaires brought a powerful global response, including the resignation of one prime minister, while the White House and U.S. agencies reacted more cautiously. Continue Reading
AG clears final two behavioral health providers of fraud
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All 15 health organizations Gov. Susana Martinez’s Human Services Department chose to freeze Medicaid funding for in 2013 have been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing. Continue Reading
DA drops most serious charges against county jail director
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The most serious criminal charges against Chris Barela, the director of the Doña Ana County Detention Center, have been dropped, at least for now. Continue Reading
Obama isn’t following through on pardons promise, says his former pardons attorney
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Two years ago, President Obama unveiled an initiative to give early release to potentially thousands of federal prisoners serving long sentences for low-level drug crimes. The initiative has barely made a dent, and a resignation letter from the president’s recently departed Pardon Attorney lays out at least one reason why. Continue Reading
After a bumpy start, AG’s office addressing sunshine-law complaints
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FOG is encouraged that Balderas and his staff are addressing complaints about OMA and IPRA violations. Continue Reading
This attorney defended Duran and others charged with corruption. Here’s what she’s learned.
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Erlinda Ocampo Johnson doesn’t believe former Secretary of State Dianna Duran is a bad person. Continue Reading
Remembering the women of Albuquerque’s mass femicides
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Dr. Irene Blea is one person who hasn’t forgotten about the unsolved killings of 11 women and girls found murdered on Albuquerque’s West Mesa in February 2009. Continue Reading
Public corruption isn’t as rampant as believed, researchers assert
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A new study of thousands of corruption cases from 1986 to 2014 found that corruption convictions are not increasing — they’re actually declining — and most involve low-ranking officials. Continue Reading
Truth and justice remain elusive in Mexico’s Iguala/Ayotzinapa atrocity
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More than 17 months after the deadly attack on students and civilians in the Mexican city of Iguala, the truth behind the atrocity — and justice for the victims — seems more elusive than ever. Continue Reading
Ethics reform would encourage the best in us, improve NM
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Our system discourages ethical behavior. We need to pay state legislators and embrace reforms to increase transparency and accountability. Continue Reading