New Mexico Judge Extends Pay-To-Play Inquiry—Associated Press
A judge is extending an inquiry into conflict-of-interest allegations against a contract law firm that is helping New Mexico settle claims in a pay-to-play scandal during the administration of former Gov. Bill Richards.
District Judge Raymond Ortiz on Friday requested further evidence regarding allegations that Connecticut-based legal firm Day Pitney may have a conflict of interest between its Wall Street clients and helping New Mexico recover state investments linked to pay-to-play schemes.
Day Pitney has helped the New Mexico attorney general's office and State Investment Council reach settlements after a scandal that put state investments in the hands of money managers in return for payments or political favors.
A whistleblower who opposes the settlements wants to know whether Day Pitney advised the state of potential conflicts with other clients. The attorney general's office says courts have addressed the allegations previously.
Plea Resolves Last Criminal Case Around Navajo Slush Funds—Associated Press
The trial for a former Navajo Nation lawmaker accused of misusing tribal funds won't go forward as scheduled next week.
Prosecutors say Hoskie Kee pleaded guilty Friday to a single charge of conspiracy to commit bribery.
A sentencing date hasn't been set.
Kee faces six months in tribal jail and up to $9,000 in restitution. The amount represents less than half of what prosecutors accused him of funneling to family members.
Kee's plea resolves the last of the criminal charges filed against 18 people in a years-long investigation of spending from a now-defunct discretionary fund. The defendants included former Navajo Nation Council speakers, lawmakers and tribal employees.
Only one criminal case went to trial. Ex-lawmaker Mel Begay was found guilty on 10 charges. He's scheduled to be sentenced May 17.
US Sen. John Mccain Calls For Criminal Probe Into Mine Spill—Associated Press
U.S. Sen. John McCain has called for a criminal investigation into what led to a massive spill of mine waste that polluted rivers in three Western states last summer.
McCain and the head of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs met with Navajo and Hopi tribal leaders and the Environmental Protection Agency on Friday to discuss the impact and aftermath of the 3 million gallon spill at Colorado's abandoned Gold King Mine.
The EPA inadvertently triggered the spill while performing preliminary cleanup work.
Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said Friday during a Congressional hearing in Phoenix that the EPA has not done enough to compensate farmers who lost crops and livestock because of the spill and could face pollution problems for decades.
EPA officials admitted more could have been done to notify the Navajo Nation.
Lawmaker Sees Poverty, Humanity On His Around-The-World Trip—Associated Press
A New Mexico Republican who is attempting a solo flight around the world says the experience has reminded him of the world's poverty and shared humanity.
U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce told The Associated Press on Friday the trip has brought back memories of his time as a pilot in the Vietnam War. He says the experience so far has been stunning.
Pearce, who is back in Washington, D.C., has nearly completed a worldwide expedition in a plane the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. The trip is mean to honor U.S. veterans killed in foreign wars.
The flight, which began March 27 from Nevada, recently was cut short in Spain because of weather. Pearce says he has 365 days to complete the last two legs for certification.