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New Mexico treasurer pleads not guilty (to federal racketeering charges)
ap on Bakersfield Californian ^ | 9/19/05 | Felicia Fonseca -ap

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.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; Politics/Elections; US: New Mexico
KEYWORDS: democrats; newmexico; notguilty; pleads; treasurer

1 posted on 09/19/2005 2:36:52 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
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To: NormsRevenge
The AP neglects to mention party affiliation.

What liberal bias?

2 posted on 09/19/2005 2:39:36 PM PDT by LdSentinal
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To: All

Sept. 16 FR thread..

New Mexico Treasurer Vigil Arrested on Racketeering Charges
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1485851/posts


3 posted on 09/19/2005 2:39:47 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... "To remain silent when they should protest makes cowards of men." -- THOMAS JEFFERSON)
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To: NormsRevenge
This guy is a State official, and they do not mention his party affiliation?

There can only be one reason why.

4 posted on 09/19/2005 2:39:52 PM PDT by lormand (George W. Bush is saving your ass, whether you like it or not.)
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To: lormand

Fat Billy distanced himself from him in a big hurry.


5 posted on 09/19/2005 2:44:38 PM PDT by Concho
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To: lormand

Both are long time Democrats. Notice also it is only being reported (so far) in the Bakersfield area, not in the MSM.


6 posted on 09/19/2005 2:49:33 PM PDT by ProudFossil
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To: ProudFossil

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.


7 posted on 09/19/2005 2:51:43 PM PDT by Rogle
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To: ProudFossil

He's a democrat? I'm shocked..shocked that they did not say so/sarcasm/


8 posted on 09/19/2005 2:53:56 PM PDT by MEG33 (GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES)
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To: ProudFossil

Notice also it is only being reported (so far) in the Bakersfield area, not in the MSM.

---


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


9 posted on 09/19/2005 2:58:35 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... "To remain silent when they should protest makes cowards of men." -- THOMAS JEFFERSON)
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To: NormsRevenge

bump


10 posted on 09/19/2005 4:38:23 PM PDT by RippleFire ("It's a joke, son!")
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