Updates: 08/21/2017 08/20/2017; 08/19/2017; 08/18/2017 more material added, names and news links; 08/17/2017 page started IN THIS SECTION Links Brief     Links more detailed     Names in COrruption     Murders of Women     Gangs in New Mexico Search/Seizure Names     Aragon, Manny     Block, Jerome      Colbert, Kimberly      Duran, Dianna      Fiorina, Betty      Griego, Phil Martinez, Jason     Martinez, Susana     Montoya, Michael     Moya, Don     Murphy, Michael     Padilla, Demesia Richardson, Bill     Ruiz, Joe     Valentino, Luis     Vigil-Giron, Rebecca     Vigil, Robert     Vigil, Roberta See also: New Mexico Drug Corruption      Gangs/Cartels    Police Abuses New Mexico  On River Gold: 9/11 - NM Tech possible connection     Lab Corruption (New Mexico, Aviation related, etc.)     New Mexico Corruption         New Mexico Catholic Abuse Brief Links NM Corruption https://www.abqjournal.com/1020699/grand-jury-files-charges-against-former-new-mexico-senator.html https://www.abqjournal.com/713977/report-corruption-cronyism-stifle-nm-economy.html http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/gov-new-mexico-ethics-dianna-duran.html http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/05/susana-martinez-new-mexico-whistleblower-suit-jon-barela/ http://newmexicomercury.com/blog/comments/womens_murders_justice_and_corruption_in_new_mexico http://www.newmexiconewsport.com/looking-back-forward-corrupt-state-officials/ http://www.newmexiconewsport.com/looking-back-forward-corrupt-state-officials/ http://nmpoliticalreport.com/11183/aps-deputy-superintendent-who-resigned-is-facing-trial-for-sexual-assault-of-a-child/ http://nmpolitics.net/index/2010/10/addressing-corruption-in-new-mexico/ http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/albuquerque-schools-cfo-files-whistleblower-suit-against-district- skandera/article_22092258-f075-5aba-bb26-6e51928791eb.html http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/albuquerque-schools-cfo-files-whistleblower-suit-against-district- skandera/article_22092258-f075-5aba-bb26-6e51928791eb.html https://the-two-malcontents.com/2009/01/new-mexico-corruption-epidemic-fed-says/ Some names involved in New Mexico state corruption Manny Aragon Manny Aragon (Former Senator/Senate Pro Tem) - corruption issues - Fraud and conspiracy; 67 months in federal prison • https://the-two-malcontents.com/2009/01/new-mexico-corruption-epidemic-fed-says/ The Blocks- Father/Son Jerome Block, Jr. and Sr. (Former Public Relations Commissioner) - corruption issues - Embezzlement, identity theft, conspiracy; 60 days prison  Excerpt From NM Politics: Father and son, Jerome Block Sr. and Jerome Block Jr., were indicted by a Santa Fe Grand Jury on charges relating to Block Jr.’s 2008 campaign for Public Regulation Commission, including allegations of election law violations, embezzlement, tampering with evidence and conspiracy. • http://nmpolitics.net/index/2010/10/addressing-corruption-in-new-mexico/ • http://www.newmexiconewsport.com/looking-back-forward-corrupt-state-officials/ Kimberly Colbert (Former Motor Vehicle DIvison agent)  convicted of fraud, ordered to repay $600,000, [was] serving two-year prison sentence for embezzling funds from the Motor Vehicle Division as an MVD agent. • http://nmpolitics.net/index/2010/10/addressing-corruption-in-new-mexico/ Dianna Duran (Former Secretary of State) - corruption issues - Embezzlement, money laundering; 30 days in jail • https://www.abqjournal.com/713977/report-corruption-cronyism-stifle-nm-economy.html • http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/gov-new-mexico-ethics-dianna-duran.html Betty Fiorina -past and deceased, ex-Secretary of State - crime family and networks: drugs, racetrack, gambling related-good old boy networks 1980s http://www.sos.state.nm.us/Kids_Corner/Past_NM_Secretaries_of_State.aspx Phil Griego (Former Senator/D-San Jose)  06/2017 corruption issues - resigned from the New Mexico State Senate - charges https://www.abqjournal.com/1020699/grand-jury-files-charges-against-former-new-mexico-senator.html Jason Martinez  (Deputy Superintendent) assaulting minors in Colorado http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/albuquerque-schools-cfo-files-whistleblower-suit-against-district- skandera/article_22092258-f075-5aba-bb26-6e51928791eb.html http://nmpoliticalreport.com/11183/aps-deputy-superintendent-who-resigned-is-facing-trial-for-sexual-assault-of-a-child/ Susana Martinez (Governor) - corruption issues http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/05/susana-martinez-new-mexico-whistleblower-suit-jon-barela/ Michael Montoya (former State Treasurer) - corruption issues - extortion http://www.newmexiconewsport.com/looking-back-forward-corrupt-state-officials/ Don Moya (Albuq. Schools administrator) whistleblower about kickback contracts with Denver company involving Luis Valentino http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/albuquerque-schools-cfo-files-whistleblower-suit-against-district- skandera/article_22092258-f075-5aba-bb26-6e51928791eb.html Michael Murphy (Las Cruces District Judge) https://www.change.org/p/stop-judicial-corruption-in-new-mexico http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/08/nation/la-na-new-mexico-judges-20111209 Demesia Padilla http://krqe.com/2016/12/19/demesia-padilla-investigation-latest-reminder-of-hole-in-public-corruption-law/   Bill Richardson (Governor) - corruption issues https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Richardson Joe Ruiz  (Deputy State Insurance Superintendent corruption issues) Public corruption; 4 years federal prison http://www.newmexiconewsport.com/looking-back-forward-corrupt-state-officials/ Luis Valentino http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/albuquerque-schools-cfo-files-whistleblower-suit-against-district- skandera/article_22092258-f075-5aba-bb26-6e51928791eb.html Rebecca Vigil-Giron (Former Secretary of State) Robert Vigil (former State Treasurer, Montoya’s successor)http://www.newmexiconewsport.com/looking-back-forward-corrupt- state-officials/ http://nmpolitics.net/index/2010/10/addressing-corruption-in-new-mexico/ Roberta Vigil (Former director of West Las Vegas Schools Bilingual Education Program)- corruption - convicted misusing public funds. http://nmpolitics.net/index/2010/10/addressing-corruption-in-new-mexico/ Murders of Women in New Mexico http://newmexicomercury.com/blog/comments/womens_murders_justice_and_corruption_in_new_mexico Voicing Concerns, Ethics/Corruption Watch Looking back, forward: corrupt state officials http://www.newmexiconewsport.com/looking-back-forward-corrupt-state-officials/ Thomas McClenaghan (Retiring FBI official) Albuquerque, 2009, comments on high amount of corruption in New Mexico http://www.topix.com/forum/albuquerque/T5A7VJ5OA47I3JFMU New Mexico Ethics Watch http://www.newmexiconewsport.com/looking-back-forward-corrupt-state-officials/ http://nmethicswatch.org/ Change dot org: Stop Judicial Corruption in New Mexico! - a closed petition to stop judicial corruption in New Mexico.  By Dennis W. Montoya of Rio Rancho, NM. Some excellent material associated with this https://www.change.org/p/stop-judicial-corruption-in-new-mexico/u/517210 Gary King on Corruption (10/15/2010)  The Albuquerque Metro Courthouse scandal case and more…. http://nmpolitics.net/index/2010/10/addressing-corruption-in-new-mexico/ Gangs New Mexico New York Times:  Black Panther Founder to Teach Courses at U. New Mexico.By CHRISTOPHER SANCHEZ, Daily LoboAugust 21, 2006 http://www.nytimes.com/uwire/uwire_NBPD082120062854028.html?pagewanted=all&mcubz=0 KRQE: http://krqe.com/2014/05/01/black-beret-president-in-court-for-threatening-woman/ ABQ Journal https://www.abqjournal.com/lifestyles/03214712lifestyles01-03-10.htm Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/118576034958775/ FNS News: The Black Berets Live On https://fnsnews.nmsu.edu/the-black-berets-live-on/ Ahora http://ahorasecreto.blogspot.com/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwD4LeEqlZk LINKS Albuquerque Journal:   Grand Jury charges against former New Mexico senator. By Dan Boyd (06/20/2017) https://www.abqjournal.com/1020699/grand-jury-files-charges-against-former-new-mexico-senator.html Excerpt: Griego, 68, who lives in rural San Miguel County, represented a sprawling Senate district for more than 18 years before resigning from the Senate in March 2015 under the cloud of an ethics investigation.He said at the time of his resignation that he was unaware of the constitutional provision against lawmakers profiting off legislation passed during their terms but insisted he did not think he was doing anything wrong. https://www.abqjournal.com/1020699/grand-jury-files-charges-against-former-new-mexico-senator.html Report: Corruption, cronyism stifle NM economy. By Ellen Marks (01/28/2016) https://www.abqjournal.com/713977/report-corruption-cronyism-stifle-nm-economy.html Excerpt: The report says New Mexico has become “infamous” because of a number of cases, ranging from the 2008 pay-to- play investment scandal during the administration of Gov. Bill Richardson to the more recent case of former Secretary of State Dianna Duran, who just finished serving a 30-day jail term for illegally diverting campaign donations to fuel a gambling addiction….New Mexico’s reliance on government jobs, its history of corruption and a “poorly compensated” citizen Legislature create a “perfect storm” that is a major reason for the state’s languishing economy, according to a report released Thursday by the non-partisan Committee for Economic Development and the University of New Mexico….The authors describe crony capitalism in New Mexico as “regulatory favoritism, pay-to-play political coercion and interest group politics, in which companies gain more from political activity than their own economic activity.” https://www.abqjournal.com/713977/report-corruption-cronyism-stifle-nm-economy.html Change dot org:  Stop Judicial Corruption in New Mexico. This petition was delivered to: New Mexico State House; New Mexico State Senate; New Mexico Governor https://www.change.org/p/stop-judicial-corruption-in-new-mexico/u/517210 https://www.change.org/p/stop-judicial-corruption-in-new-mexico?source_location=minibar https://www.change.org/p/stop-judicial-corruption-in-new-mexico/u/517190 https://www.change.org/p/stop-judicial-corruption-in-new-mexico?source_location=minibar Gazette http://gazette.com/homeland-security-to-up-presence-in-four-corners/article/133988 Excerpt:  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations in New Mexico said it plans to increase its presence in the Four Corners region to counter to growing influences of drug cartels in the area.  The Farmington Daily Times reports the federal agency proposes that two agents move to San Juan County full-time and that more agents be dispatched occasionally to the area to assist with serious criminal investigations.  The move comes after New Mexico law enforcement agencies around the state have asked federal officials to assist cash-strapped departments in battling gangs, drug trafficking and weapons violations. But as federal authorities have moved into places like Roswell and Las Cruces, violent drug cartels have increased their presence in the remote area of northwest New Mexico that borders Arizona, Utah and Colorado.  Federal authorities said that by getting involved and charging criminals in federal court, it can increase the amount of prison time. "New Mexico is very difficult with their laws. It's hard to get some quality time" in prison, said Kevin Abar, the assistant special agent in charge for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations in New Mexico. "This is where the federal government can step in, in the issue." In recent months, homeland security agents assisted local law enforcement agencies in more than 20 criminal investigations that will be prosecuted by U.S. attorneys, said Dennis Ulrich, a deputy special agent in charge of the agency's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Some of the worst of the worst (criminals), they've plucked them out of here for narcotics, guns and gang membership," said Neil Haws, the director of Region II Narcotics Task Force. "It's very significant."  Homeland Security investigations will focus on arresting criminals for bulk-cash smuggling, weapons, child exploitation, narcotics, identity theft, cultural property smuggling, counterfeit drugs and merchandise and identity theft, Abar said.  Federal charges for those types of crimes have harsher punishments than state charges. And the crimes are commonly used to fund terrorism and drug cartels, he said. http://gazette.com/homeland-security-to-up-presence-in-four-corners/article/133988 Governing: Ethics - Dianna Duran (2015) http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/gov-new-mexico-ethics-dianna-duran.html Justice dot gov: Federal Indictment Charges Eight w/Participating in Taos County Heroin Trafficking and Money Laundering Ring (2015) Defendants Prosecuted as Part of HOPE Initiative which Seeks to Reduce the Number of Opioid-Related Deaths in New Mexico https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/federal-indictment-charges-eight-participating-taos-county-heroin-trafficking-and- money KRQE:  Proposal targets corrupt NM officials (2017) http://krqe.com/2017/01/10/lawmakers-proposal-targets-corrupt-new-mexico-officials/ Demesia Padilla investigation latest reminder of hole in public corruption law. Law taking public official benefits only applies to elected officials.  By Alex Goldsmith (12/19/2016) http://krqe.com/2016/12/19/demesia-padilla-investigation-latest-reminder-of-hole-in-public-corruption-law/ KOAT: FBI Small town corruption in NM http://www.koat.com/article/fbi-small-town-corruption-in-nm/4410898 LA Times: New Mexico judge's bribery case is one for the books. By Michael Haederle (12/08/2011) http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/08/nation/la-na-new-mexico-judges-20111209 Excerpt: It wasn't a good day for New Mexico's judiciary when a district judge in Las Cruces, the state's second-largest city, was indicted last spring on bribery charges for allegedly soliciting campaign contributions in return for political favors.Then things went from bad to worse. The special prosecutor handling the case demanded that the chief justice of the state Supreme Court recuse himself for allegedly having made prejudicial comments and rulings.And then came the release of a secretly recorded audiotape in which the indicted judge, Michael Murphy, could be heard casually spouting barnyard profanities, racial epithets and homosexual slurs. http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/08/nation/la-na-new-mexico-judges-20111209 Mother Jones (2014) http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/05/susana-martinez-new-mexico-whistleblower-suit-jon-barela/ New Mexico Mercury: Women’s Murders, Justice and Corruption in New Mexico. By Frontera Norte Sur (02/18/2014) http://newmexicomercury.com/blog/comments/womens_murders_justice_and_corruption_in_new_mexico New Mexico News Report:  Looking back forward corrupt state officials http://www.newmexiconewsport.com/looking-back-forward-corrupt-state-officials/ NM Political Report: Sex assault child aps deputy superintendent. By Joey Peters (08/21/2015) http://nmpoliticalreport.com/11183/aps-deputy-superintendent-who-resigned-is-facing-trial-for-sexual-assault-of-a-child/ Excerpt:  On July 18, 2013, Denver police arrested Martinez, whose full name is Timothy Jason Martinez, on charges of sexual assault on a child from a position of trust and other felony charges. The case is still ongoing, with a trial date set for Oct. 9 in District Court in Denver.  Martinez faces four counts, all of which allege sexual assault of a child.  “They are all felonies,” said Denver District Attorney spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough. “Class three and class four felonies.”  It’s unclear how many children in total Martinez is accused of assaulting.  http://nmpoliticalreport.com/11183/aps-deputy-superintendent-who-resigned-is-facing-trial-for-sexual-assault-of-a-child/ New Mexico Politics dot net: By Gary King Attorney General’s Office(10/15/2010) http://nmpolitics.net/index/2010/10/addressing-corruption-in-new-mexico/ Excerpt: A great deal has been said recently about what is being done to combat corruption in our state, a lot of it has been based on political rhetoric and posturing without regard to facts and verifiable records. Therefore, it is important for New Mexicans to know what their Attorney General’s Office has done and continues to do to address corruption. http://nmpolitics.net/index/2010/10/addressing-corruption-in-new-mexico/ New York Times:  As New Mexico scandals grow Democrats hope to tarnish governor (2015) https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/09/us/politics/as-new-mexico-scandals-grow-democrats-hope-to-tarnish- governor.html?mcubz=1 Excerpt: Ms. Duran is facing 64 misdemeanor and felony charges, accused of misusing campaign money to cover gambling and other personal expenses, one of several scandals to have rocked New Mexico politics this summer.For Democrats, Ms. Duran’s fall from grace caps a string of scandals that have offered a chance to regain lost ground ahead of next year’s elections. They include the hiring of a man accused of child sexual assault as deputy schools superintendent in Albuquerque and an investigation over potential abuse of power by a senior state executive. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/09/us/politics/as-new-mexico-scandals-grow-democrats-hope-to-tarnish- governor.html?mcubz=1 Santa Fe New Mexican: Albuquerque schools CFO files whistleblower suit against district. By Chris Quintana (08/24/2015) http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/albuquerque-schools-cfo-files-whistleblower-suit-against-district- skandera/article_22092258-f075-5aba-bb26-6e51928791eb.html Former Rio Mayor Probed in Olympic Linked Corruption Scandal http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/former-rio-mayor-probed-in-olympic-linked-corruption- scandal/article_74acd162-5624-55a1-9bc5-a2eb35294fba.html Topix blog site: Blog Forum writer Goldstein: SAC/FBI Tom McClenaghan: New Mexico most corrupt of 50 states (2009) http://www.topix.com/forum/albuquerque/T5A7VJ5OA47I3JFMU Exerpt: Jan 21, 2009. In an interview aired at 2215 (10:15PM for you civilians) 20 January 2009, retiring Special Agent in Charge of the Albuquerque FBI Field Office Thomas C. McClenaghan said that the Chicago FBI SAC who made the pronouncements about Governor Blagoyevich and Illinois as being very corrupt "has never lived in New Mexico" and that corruption here was "epidemic and permeates ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT." The interview was aired by rival TV News Station Channel No. 13, K*R*Q*E.I am REALLY sorry to see this man go. New Mexico needs someone like him at the FBI field office to purge this place of the malignant disease that is corruption. He did say that there were a number of ongoing investigations (in addition to the ones already publicized). I hope they include District Court Special Commissioner Rosemary A. Cosgrove-Aguilar, Judge Angela J. Jewell, D.A. Kari A. Brandenburg, Chief Ray Schultz (and several of his underlings), and of course, Mayor for Life Martin J. Sideshow Chavez. "Go, FBI, Go!" http://www.topix.com/forum/albuquerque/T5A7VJ5OA47I3JFMU Two Malcontents: New Mexico Corruption Epidemic Fed Says (01/2009) https://the-two-malcontents.com/2009/01/new-mexico-corruption-epidemic-fed-says/  A retiring FBI agent in the thick investigating and prosecuting public officials said Tuesday New Mexico may be the most corrupt state in the nation.  New Mexico has a long list of corrupt politicians, and the list could be growing. High-profile political figures and associates have been convicted, and ongoing investigations are making frequent headlines.  Many of those cases began with FBI agents in Albuquerque.  "It’s our No. 1 criminal program," Thomas McClenaghan, special agent in charge of the FBI Albuquerque field office, said.  Corruption scandals that took down former state Sen. Manny Aragón, once considered the most powerful politician in the Senate. Former State Treasurer Robert Vigil, his predecessor and a long list of criminal accomplices have been convicted or cut plea dea ls in federal court.McClenaghan will lead Albuquerque’s team of FBI agents only through the end of the week. He retires on Friday.  "From what we’ve seen here, corruption in this state is epidemic," he told KRQE News 13. "It is at all levels of government." https://the-two-malcontents.com/2009/01/new-mexico-corruption-epidemic-fed-says/ Search and Seizure Issues Wildcat:  No excuse for unwarranted search seizure drug dogs (04/2015) http://www.wildcat.arizona.edu/article/2015/04/no-excuses-for-unwarranted-search-seizure-drug-dogs Think Progress:  New Mexico is the second state to ban police from seizing innocent peoples property https://thinkprogress.org/new-mexico-is-the-second-state-to-ban-police-from-seizing-innocent-peoples-property- d9b947c1399#.ku6u8e181

New Mexico Corruption