|
|
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
|
Richardson troubled by N.M. scandal
|
|---|
| Parent(s) |
Candidate
|
| Contributor | The Sunset Provision |
| Last Edited | The Sunset Provision Mar 31, 2007 12:15am |
| Logged |
1
[Older]
|
| Category | News |
| Media | Website - Yahoo News |
| News Date | Saturday, March 31, 2007 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democratic presidential hopeful, said Friday he is troubled and saddened by the latest public corruption scandal to hit New Mexico.
Named in a federal indictment Thursday was Manny Aragon, a former state senator who once was among New Mexico's most powerful politicians. Aragon and three others are accused of conspiring, laundering money and committing mail fraud in a scheme that authorities say cost state taxpayers $4.2 million.
"Regardless of the guilt or innocence, these indictments are very troubling," Richardson said Friday. "I'm saddened too because Sen. Aragon has had a distinguished political career. My hope is that justice is swift and free of politics."
The case involves an alleged scheme to defraud the state in the construction of a new county courthouse in downtown Albuquerque. Along with Aragon, former court administrator Toby Martinez, his wife Sandra Mata Martinez, and Raul Parra, a partner in Albuquerque engineering firm P2RS, were named in the indictment.
Aragon served as the top Senate leader for 13 years. He resigned in mid-2004 to become president at New Mexico Highlands University, but he left two years later when the school bought out his contract.
The indictments represent the second large federal corruption prosecution in two years. Former state treasurer Robert Vigil was arrested in 2005 and convicted last year of attempted extortion. His predecessor, Michael Montoya, pleaded guilty to extortion in a kickback scheme involving state investments.
The latest corruption probe has became part of the controversy over former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias, one of eight U.S. attorneys fired late last year.
|
| Share |
|
|
2¢
|
|
| Article | Read Full Article |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
|
