{"id":39354,"date":"2012-04-27T07:54:03","date_gmt":"2012-04-27T13:54:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/?p=39354"},"modified":"2012-04-27T07:54:50","modified_gmt":"2012-04-27T13:54:50","slug":"was-sunland-park-giving-away-free-utilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2012\/04\/was-sunland-park-giving-away-free-utilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Was Sunland Park giving away free utilities?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Sunland<\/a>

Sunland Park City Hall (Photo by Heath Haussamen)<\/p><\/div>\n

Has the City of Sunland Park been providing utility services to some residents for free or at a reduced rate?<\/p>\n

Investigators aren\u2019t confirming that but say they are looking into allegations.<\/p>\n

Evan Blackstone, chief of staff for the State Auditor\u2019s Office, said the focus of the special audit of Sunland Park includes \u201cthe city\u2019s adjustments to utility bills and forgiveness of debt related to utility charges.\u201d Asked to elaborate, he said the audit, which is ongoing, is confidential, so he can\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Do\u00f1a Ana County District Attorney Amy Orlando was also tight-lipped about the situation. She confirmed that utility payment \u201cissues\u201d have been brought to law enforcement\u2019s attention but said she could not elaborate.<\/p>\n

Neither would talk about why the city might have been giving away free utilities. The multi-agency investigation into the city\u2019s dealings has, thus far, led to charges against 11 people that include extortion<\/a>, voter fraud<\/a>, bribery<\/a> and fraud<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the full list of issues Blackstone said the auditor\u2019s office has looked into thus far:<\/p>\n