Posted on 11/08/2005 2:16:13 PM PST by NormsRevenge
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A former New Mexico state treasurer entered a guilty plea Tuesday to accepting a kickback from an investment adviser while in office.
Michael Montoya, 53, could get up to 12 years in prison on the extortion charge but would probably get a break for cooperating with prosecutors in their case against his successor, Robert Vigil, who is also accused of demanding kickbacks.
A federal judge did not immediately decide whether to accept the plea.
Montoya, who was treasurer from 1995 to 2002, acknowledged receiving $278,500 in kickbacks from Kent Nelson, who was hired to invest state money, in 2001.
Montoya said that he was using his entire salary to repay campaign debts when he first took office. Later, he took bribes to cover his living expenses, and found it easy to get money from people looking to keep or get business with the treasurer's office.
Nelson and a businessmen involved in the scheme have pleaded guilty and agreed to testify in exchange for lighter sentences.
No way!
I'm originally from Lousyana, and know personally that DemocRATS are honest hard working people.
Caught one eh?
You have got to be kidding me!! A Democrat guilty of extortion??? I just can't believe that.
The sitting State Treasurer is next (oh, I forgot, he already resigned. Make that the last elected State Treasurer).
Uncle Duke, is that you?
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