After soliciting employee for sex, county treasurer charged with felony
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Doña Ana County Treasurer David Gutierrez is facing a felony charge after admitting that he offered to pay a female employee for sex in 2014. Continue Reading
Former Sen. Griego faces criminal charges related to real estate deal
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Phil Griego faces nine counts including bribery, fraud, perjury, tampering with public records and violating the ethical principles of public service. Continue Reading
Sen. Michael Sanchez can reform government, but he doesn’t want to
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And the people aren’t ready, yet, to rise up and make him. Continue Reading
Bills to strip pensions from corrupt public officials languish
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With only days left in the session, the tough talk about strengthening a law on taking pensions from corrupt public officials has quieted. Bills that would do so have yet to make it to the floor of either chamber. Continue Reading
Perceptions of cronyism hurt state’s bottom line, report says
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The perception that government in New Mexico has a high level of cronyism is one factor dampening private investment in the state, according to a report released last week. Continue Reading
An apology to the people of New Mexico
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I cannot begin to express how deeply sorry I am for my transgressions and the damage I caused to the public’s trust in public officials. Continue Reading
Duran accepts judge’s sentence, must report to jail Friday
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Former Secretary of State Dianna Duran won’t back out of a plea agreement that led to a 30-day jail sentence, which means she’ll be incarcerated beginning Friday. Continue Reading
Ethics reform: If not now, when?
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This year’s scandal involving the state’s top ethics officer ought to spur reform in the state’s inadequate campaign finance reporting system, better enforcement of the laws, and, finally, the establishment of an independent ethics commission. Continue Reading
Senator’s defense of Duran has me questioning if he’s fit for office
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N.M. State Sen. Bill Sharer says Dianna Duran “didn’t harm anyone but herself.” Does he not understand the concept of public trust? Continue Reading
Duran sentenced to 30 days in jail, but could fight incarceration
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Former Secretary of State Dianna Duran, who illegally used campaign funds to keep her personal bank account in the black while gambling at New Mexico casinos, has until Wednesday to decide whether to spend 30 days in jail or withdraw her guilty plea and instead go to trial. Continue Reading
This isn’t the way to handle a high-profile public corruption case
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To avoid a real or perceived conflict, the Doña Ana County sheriff and district attorney need to ask someone else to take over their high-profile investigation of county government. Continue Reading
New Mexicans are protected, rewarded for rooting out corruption
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Every New Mexican is now protected and empowered to root out corruption. If public dollars are being misspent, misdirected or misused, do the right thing: Speak out for ethical, honest government. Continue Reading
Q&A: AG Balderas wants greater focus on protecting children
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Still in his first year on the job, Attorney General Hector Balderas says he was most surprised when he took office to learn “how few resources were being devoted to protecting children in New Mexico.” Continue Reading
We must end New Mexico’s culture of corruption
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We’ve been prosecuting public officials for a decade. We’ve approved piddly, incremental reforms. We’re still plagued by corruption. We need to push our government to embrace widespread, systemic reform. Continue Reading
For Gary King, a rough road lies ahead
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Gary King’s record as attorney general – or lack thereof – has led the media to judge him harshly and gives Republicans lots to hammer him with. That’s largely why many Democrats view the gubernatorial candidate as unelectable. Continue Reading