Posted on 09/19/2005 2:36:49 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The New Mexico state treasurer and his predecessor pleaded not guilty Monday to federal racketeering charges involving kickbacks of cash, cars and expensive tickets to political fundraisers.
Robert Vigil and former Treasurer Michael Montoya are accused of steering state business to an investment adviser in exchange for nearly $700,000.
If convicted, each faces a maximum sentence of 20 years on each of two counts.
"Mr. Vigil, from day one, has attempted to clean up this office, and that's what he has done," said Vigil's attorney, Sam Bregman, who blamed the allegations on disgruntled former employees.
Montoya left the brief hearing without speaking to reporters.
Prosecutors say Montoya was paid about $632,000 while Vigil received about $54,000 from a financial adviser hired to help invest state funds.
But an FBI affidavit describes a wider scheme and says Vigil accepted an envelope stuffed with cash as recently as last month.
Kickbacks to Vigil allegedly included expensive tickets to political fund-raisers, wood and supplies and donations to charities in which Vigil's wife participates.
A witness said he bought Montoya sports memorabilia, cars and other items using proceeds from the kickbacks, the affidavit said.
Vigil, elected to a four-year term in 2002, was asked to step aside Sunday by Gov. Bill Richardson.
What liberal bias?
Sept. 16 FR thread..
New Mexico Treasurer Vigil Arrested on Racketeering Charges
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1485851/posts
There can only be one reason why.
Fat Billy distanced himself from him in a big hurry.
Both are long time Democrats. Notice also it is only being reported (so far) in the Bakersfield area, not in the MSM.
Fox or CNN are also not reporting this. To be fair it is a local issue. I am doing my best to make things happen here in our state.
He's a democrat? I'm shocked..shocked that they did not say so/sarcasm/
Notice also it is only being reported (so far) in the Bakersfield area, not in the MSM.
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A Note here.. I frequently pull ap news from that paper's web site for ease of use.
This story is all over the ap wire... but the major news networks will likely ignore it bigtime..
Here's a news search from yahoo, and there are a lot more outlets not listed than listed, I am sure. :-)
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?p=New+Mexico+treasurer+pleads+not+guilty&sm=Yahoo%21+Search&fr=FP-tab-news-t&toggle=1&cop=&ei=UTF-8
bump
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