Draft:List of New Mexico political scandals

• Comment: See Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Articles_for_creation#"List_of_x_state_political_scandals"_drafts Qcne (talk) 17:49, 10 December 2023 (UTC)

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List of New Mexico political scandals

Scope and organization of political scandals

This article provides a list of political scandals which occurred in the U.S. State of New Mexico. It is organized in reverse chronological order from most recent to oldest.

Politician is defined as "a person who is professionally involved in politics", and includes not only those elected to office, their staffs and appointees, but also those who routinely work in politics such as pollsters. Major officials of political parties and their staffs, as well as those elected by their party to be candidates are also included. Local politicians, mayors, sheriffs, and county officials should not be included.

Scandal is defined as "loss of, or damage to, reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety". Breaking the law is always considered a scandal. The finding of a public court is the sole method used to determine a violation of law, but it is not the sole method of determining a scandal.

Please note that all people are considered innocent until proven guilty. Allegations of misconduct do not imply guilt nor do admissions of guilt in the absence of a conviction. Investigations that end without a determination do not imply innocence.

Breaches of ethics, unproven crimes or cover-ups may or may not result in inclusion depending on the amount of publicity generated, and the seriousness of the crime, if any. Notoriety and notability are a major determinant of a scandal. Politicians who resign, quit, flee, or commit suicide while being investigated or threatened with investigation may also be included.

Different scandals on different dates may result in multiple listings.

The list does not include crimes that occur outside the politician's tenure (such as before or after his term in office) unless they specifically stem from acts made while in office, such as bribery, and discovered later.

Given the political nature of legislatures where the leading party has determining power, politicians who are Rebuked, Denounced, Censured, Admonished, Condemned, Suspended, Reprimanded, Found in Contempt, Found to have Acted Improperly, or of using Poor Judgment are not included unless the scandal is exceptional or leads to further action such as expulsion, conviction or resignation.

Executive pardons may or may not be mentioned, but do not erase the scandal. The verdict and legal proceedings are not affected by pardons, but may affect the sentence.

State of New Mexico

• Monica Youngblood (R) State Representative from District 68 in Albuquerque, was taken into custody for slurred speech and smelling of alcohol. She refused a breathalyzer test and was found guilty of aggravated drunk driving and sentenced to two days in jail, one year probation, 23 hours of community service and fined. (2018)

• Phil Griego (D) State Senator from San Jose in District 39, was accused of improperly profiting from a real estate deal. He was charged with bribery, fraud, perjury, tampering with public records, violating ethical principles and not disclosing financial records. He was found guilty, resigned his seat and sentenced to 18 months. In a second trial he was convicted of misuse of campaingn funds and sentenced to another year. (2016)

• Dianna Duran (R) Secretary of State, was charged with embezzlement, fraud, money laundering and finance violations for using campaign funds for personal use and gambling. She resigned. She was found guilty and sentenced to 30 days in jail, two thousand hours of community service and ordered to give four speeches a month for the next three years apologizing to the citizens of New Mexico. (2015)

• Jamie Estrada (R) Campaign Manager for Republican Governor Susanna Martinez was accused of unlawfully intercepting Governor Martinez’s campaign emails, giving them to her political opponents, and then lying to FBI agents about it. He was sentenced to nine months in prison, three years supervised release, community service and fined. (2014)

• Joe Ruiz ( ) Deputy State Insurance Superintendent, was accused of telling insurance firms to donate to charities in lieu of paying fines, claiming he was only following orders from his boss at the time, former Insurance Superintendent Eric Serna. Ruiz was found guilty on 20 counts and sentenced to four years in prison. (2008)

• Michael A. Montoya (D) State Treasurer, was accused of an elaborate kickback scheme concerning the award of government contracts. He pled guilty to racketeering and was sentenced to 40 months in prison with a $25,000 fine. (2007)

• Robert E. Vigil (D) State Treasurer, was accused of attempted extortion for demanding a contractor hire his friend if he wanted a state contract. He was found guilty and sentenced to 37 months in prison and fined $97,000. (2006)

See also:

List of federal political scandals in the United States List of federal political sex scandals in the United States

List of American state and local politicians convicted of crimes List of Alabama political scandals List of Arizona political scandals List of Arkansas political scandals List of California political scandals List of Colorado political scandals List of Connecticut political scandals List of Delaware political scandals List of Florida political scandals List of Georgia political scandals List of Hawaii political scandals List of Idaho political scandals List of Illinois political scandals List of Indiana political scandals List of Iowa political scandals

References