Posted on 10/26/2005 7:00:45 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico's indicted state treasurer resigned Wednesday shortly after lawmakers began considering whether he should be impeached.
Robert Vigil's resignation came more than a month after he was arrested and charged with extortion in a federal investigation into an alleged kickback scheme involving state investments.
Vigil, 52, announced his resignation, effective immediately, in a letter to Gov. Bill Richardson and Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron.
"I have committed no crime, and the allegation made by the federal government are false," Vigil wrote. "I look forward to the day when a jury will hear all of the evidence, and I will have the opportunity to clear my name."
Vigil, a Democrat, was elected to a four-year term as treasurer in November 2002 and took office in 2003.
He has pleaded not guilty to 21 felony charges of extortion. No trial date has been set.
Earlier Wednesday, a bipartisan House subcommittee held a public meeting to review evidence in the now-ended impeachment case.
Videos were played that showed Vigil accepting cash - nearly $12,000 - from an investment adviser in two meetings earlier this year. The adviser secretly recorded the meetings as part of a deal in which he is cooperating with prosecutors.
Vigil's lawyer has contended the payments were campaign contributions and violated no law.
However, the subcommittee's special counsel, Paul Kennedy, suggested the cash payments were illegal - even if made for a campaign - because they were "in exchange for the promise of future business" from the treasurer's office.
Under state law, the governor has the power to appoint a replacement for the treasurer.
He's GUILTY! I bet he pleads before a jury is picked.
Interesting name coincidence. Either Vigil is a real common New Mexico name, or the state Treasurer and the Secretary of State were related.
Quick! Get the smelling salts .. Pelosi just fainted.
Her "culture of corruption" is leaking all over the democrats.
Common as Smith, Jones and Brown.
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