New Mexico Secretary Of State Due In Court On Fraud Charges
-Associated Press
UPDATE 11:15 - A panel of New Mexico lawmakers has cleared the way for an investigation into fraud charges against one of the state's highest ranking officials.
The Legislative Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve up to $250,000 for a special committee to look into the charges against Secretary of State Dianna Duran.
The two-term Republican is accused of funneling campaign donations into her personal bank accounts and withdrawing large sums of money at casinos. She pleaded not guilty Tuesday.
Officials say the bipartisan committee hopes to have its first meeting before month's end.
Under the state constitution, impeachment would require a majority vote in the 70-member House. If that happens, the Senate would hold a trial, and a two-thirds vote would be necessary to convict Duran — permanently removing her from office.A top New Mexico official is expected to enter a plea to charges that she funneled campaign contributions to her bank accounts and withdrew large sums of money at casinos around the state.
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Republican Secretary of State Dianna Duran is due in court Tuesday to be arraigned on 64 counts of embezzlement, fraud, money laundering and other charges.
The charges were leveled more than two weeks ago.
She has also been a no-show at her elected post except for some calls with staff.
The charges involve a total of $13,000 in campaign donations.
Duran's attorney has vowed to fight the charges, but Duran has remained silent.
The allegations raised questions about the enforcement of the state's election and campaign finance reporting laws.
Some lawmakers are expected to begin work as part of impeachment proceedings.
Duran Visits Office For First Time Since Charges – The Associated Press
Embattled New Mexico Secretary of State Dianna Duran has made her first visit to her office since being charged more than two weeks ago with fraud, money laundering and other counts.
Duran dropped by Tuesday following her arraignment in state district court in Santa Fe.
A spokesman for the secretary of state's office, Ken Ortiz, says Duran met with her top staffers to discuss upcoming deadlines and projects related to the 2016 election season.
The office oversees enforcement of the state's election and campaign finance laws.
Duran is accused of funneling some $13,000 in campaign contributions to personal bank accounts and withdrawing large sums of cash at casinos around the state.
She pleaded not guilty to the 64 counts outlined in a criminal complaint filed by the state attorney general's office.
Judge Approves Delay In Trial Of Deputy's Death – The Associated Press & The Las Cruces Sun-News
A judge is allowing a six month delay in the trial of a former Santa Fe County sheriff's deputy charged with shooting and killing another deputy.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that 28-year-old Tai Chan will stand trial on March 21, 2016. Chan is charged with killing 29-year-old Jeremy Martin during an alcohol-fueled fight in a Las Cruces hotel last October.
The trial was originally scheduled to begin on Sept. 28. In late August, Chan's attorneys filed a motion with Chief District Judge Fernando R. Marcias to postpone the trial.
They cited a number of delays in obtaining evidence from prosecutors, including crime scene photographs, a seven-hour recording of Chan and audio recordings of witnesses.
Chan has pleaded not guilty.
The District Attorney's Office didn't immediately return requests for comment.
Albuquerque College Removing Emergency Call Boxes – The Associated Press & KOAT
Emergency call boxes are being removed from an Albuquerque college campus, an action school officials say is meant to cut down on expensive maintenance and repair costs.
KOAT-TV reports the tall blue poles with "push for help" buttons dispersed throughout Central New Mexico Community College have served as resources for students who might need to call for help. The devices are now covered with gray sleeves or bolted over with metal.
Student Angela Fredlund says the boxes are there for students who don't have access to a cellphone and are in need of help. She says she doesn't think the change is safe.
But school officials say the technology is outdated and have cited costs as a reason to remove the boxes.
Skandera: $100 ATM Cards To Help Teachers Despite Objections – The Associated Press
New Mexico Public Education Secretary Hanna Skandera says new state-issued $100 debit cards will help teachers buy supplies and she doesn't understand a union's objections.
Skandera told The Associated Press on Tuesday she's "utterly disappointed" the Albuquerque Teachers Federation is advising educators to decline the offer for the card. The union says it has concerns that the fine print on purchases may put teachers' licensures at risk.
Albuquerque Teachers Federation President Ellen Bernstein also says the cards were "an insult" to educators since they come as districts face teacher shortages.
Skandera says teachers can use the cards at approve vendors and a required signed agreement to get the cards are aimed at protecting tax dollars.
State officials say 23,000 teachers will get the debit cards.
Bernalillo County Commissioners Pick The Next County Manager – The Associated Press
Bernalillo County commissioners have voted unanimously to pick Julie Morgas Baca as the next county manager.
She's a former deputy county manager and must first complete a background check and employment screening.
Morgas Baca is in line to succeed Tom Zdunek, who's been county manager since 2011 and plans to retire Oct. 2.
The Albuquerque Journal reports Morgas Baca would become the first woman to serve as county manager in 25 years.
She stepped down earlier this year as president and CEO of the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation.
The manager oversees 2,500 county employees and a $500 million budget, including $263 million in the general operating fund.
Bernalillo County endured about $17 million in investment losses last year as it restructured its portfolio to minimize risk and provide liquidity.
Albuquerque Officers' Trial Tentatively Set For August 2016 - The Associated Press
A judge has tentatively set the trial date for August 2016 for two Albuquerque police officers facing charges in the on-duty shooting death of a homeless man last year.
Last month, Pro Tem Judge Neil Candelaria ruled after a two-week preliminary hearing that there was probable cause for Officer Dominique Perez and now-retired officer Keith Sandy to stand trial on second-degree murder charges in the death of James Boyd.
Boyd's March 2014 shooting death in the Sandia Mountain foothills was captured on an officer's helmet camera.
KOB reports the officers' tentative trial date was set for Aug. 15 during a scheduling conference Monday in Second District Court. It is expected to last three weeks and include one week for jury selection.
Gov. Martinez Unveils New State Energy Plan – The Associated Press
Oil and natural gas won't be the only components of New Mexico's energy future.
Gov. Susana Martinez on Monday unveiled a new energy policy as industry experts gathered in southeastern New Mexico for an annual summit.
The plan calls for an all-of-the-above approach, much like the prescription being pushed at the federal level.
The governor says New Mexico is one of the most energy-rich and energy-diverse states and policymakers need to take advantage of that. The plan highlights the need for more infrastructure, renewable energy and job training.
More than a year in the making, the plan stems from a series of listening sessions.
Aside from the governor, speakers at the summit include T. Boone Pickens, a Texas billionaire who made much of his fortune in oil but has become an advocate for alternative energy.
New Mexico Drive Encourages Steps To Promote Breastfeeding –The Associated Press
A new media campaign being launched in New Mexico by a coalition that promotes breastfeeding encourages hospitals to adopt an array of practices for maternity and infant care.
The campaign includes billboards and bus signs encouraging people to find out whether hospitals are taking steps hospitals to be equipped to encourage breastfeeding from the moment of birth.
The task force says eight of New Mexico's 30 hospitals have designations associated with encouraging breastfeeding.
University of New Mexico Host Anti-Violence Art Exhibit – The Associated Press
The University of New Mexico is hosting an art show meant to highlight police brutality and gun violence.
KRQE-TV reports Necessary Force: Art in the Police State will run until December 12. The exhibit includes portraits from events during the civil rights movement and an overturned police cruiser playing scanner chatter from unrest in cities like Ferguson, Missouri.
UNM College of Fine Arts Dean Kymberly Pinder says the show is not meant to be anti-police, but instead anti-brutality and anti-gun violence.
The artists featured in the exhibit are both from the U.S. and abroad and are of varying ages, bringing a wide range of perspectives to the artwork.
UNM officials say the art show does not represent any opinion held by the university.