NM GOP leaders don’t really care about corruption
|
Remember all the complaining about Bill Richardson? Republican leaders were right then, but apparently only because it was politically convenient. Continue Reading
Former Tax and Revenue secretary charged with embezzlement
|
Demesia Padilla had previously resigned amid questions about possible preferential treatment of a former client. Continue Reading
Former Sen. Griego convicted of bribery, other ethics violations
|
The case stemmed from Griego’s dual role as a legislator who helped push approval of the sale of a state building and a broker who made money off the transaction. Continue Reading
Lawmaker says pay-to-play maneuver exposed as Senate yanks real estate deal
|
The bill would have carved out an exception to state rules on renting for the owners of a property who have donated $26,200 to the governor and her political action committee since 2014. Continue Reading
Committee OKs bill to change whistleblower law
|
Sen. Candelaria’s amended bill would put a new requirement in the law that government employees exhaust certain administrative remedies prior to filing a whistleblower claim in court. Continue Reading
A request that Sen. Candelaria withdraw proposed changes to whistleblower law
|
The bill would effectively strip the existing Act of its usefulness in helping to protect the people of New Mexico against many kinds of public corruption and other forms of wrongdoing. Continue Reading
New Mexicans want ethics reforms to prevent corruption, report finds
|
In a new survey, 1 in 5 New Mexicans said they never trust state government to do what is right, while only 3 percent said state government can always be trusted to do what is right. Continue Reading
Griego case reveals culture of secrecy, tolerance for conflicts
|
Who else is unethically and possibly illegally benefiting from secret deals? And who else is looking the other way while it happens? Continue Reading
House District 35 candidates discuss legislative pay, other reforms
|
Here’s what the three Democrats who want to replace Jeff Steinborn in the N.M. House of Representatives say about paying lawmakers and other ideas for reforming the Legislature. Continue Reading
Q&A: Auditor Keller says better funding his office would protect tax dollars
|
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
Group that has watchdogged NM politicians ‘defanged’ by Clinton ally
|
Many former staffers at the Center for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington say Hillary Clinton ally David Brock has “defanged” the “prominent, nonpartisan watchdog group that helped lay groundwork for what’s become the Clinton email server scandal,” The Center for Public Integrity reported. Continue Reading
DA drops most serious charges against county jail director
|
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
This attorney defended Duran and others charged with corruption. Here’s what she’s learned.
|
Erlinda Ocampo Johnson doesn’t believe former Secretary of State Dianna Duran is a bad person. Continue Reading
Public corruption isn’t as rampant as believed, researchers assert
|
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
Ethics reform would encourage the best in us, improve NM
|
Our system discourages ethical behavior. We need to pay state legislators and embrace reforms to increase transparency and accountability. Continue Reading