Attorneys prepare for opening of New Mexico corruption trial
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Attorneys are preparing for opening arguments in a corruption trial against a former New Mexico state senator accused of using his elected position to profit from the sale of a state-owned building.
Opening arguments were scheduled for Tuesday morning in the trial of ex-Sen. Phil Griego on charges that include bribery, fraud, perjury, unlawful interest in a public contract and violation of ethical principles of service. A jury was selected Monday.
The 69-year-old former Santa Fe city councilman denies wrongdoing. Prosecutors at the state attorney general's office say Griego used his former position as a lawmaker to arrange a $50,000 commission on the sale of a downtown building in Santa Fe.
The attorney general's office plans to call on legislative staff and a former Cabinet secretary as initial witnesses.
FARMINGTON-REVAMPED DOWNTOWN
Farmington's downtown revamp plan drawing mixed responses
(Information from: The Daily Times, http://www.daily-times.com)
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — A plan to revamp Farmington's downtown is drawing a mixture of excitement and skepticism from business owners.
The Daily Times of Farmington reports the revitalization plan dubbed Complete Streets involves a $3.4 million upgrade for the downtown corridor in the northwestern New Mexico city.
City Manager Rob Mayes says the plan also involves major updates of the water and sewer systems and storm management.
John McNeill, a member of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Area board, said the changes aim to slow vehicle traffic down and create space for pedestrian traffic.
Rod Hubble, who owns Rod Hubble Fine Art, says he's excited about the prospect of Farmington's downtown becoming a hot spot again. But Allstar T-Shirts and Trophies owner Valerie Jordan says she worries about the change in traffic and its effects on businesses.
___
BORDER-UNKNOWN BURIED
New Mexico county buries bodies of 19 unknown people
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico county located on the U.S.-Mexico border has buried the bodies of more than a dozen unnamed people.
KVIA-TV in El Paso, Texas reports the burials took place at a special ceremony last week after no family came to claim the bodies with Dona Ana County.
No family members spoke to honor the memory of any of the 19 bodies. However, the event attracted dozens who gathered to silently mourn the unknown.
Officials say the county plans to set up a marker at the burial spot to identify the people laid to rest in case family members come forward.
SKI RESORT-GHOST TOWN
Once bustling New Mexico ski resort now a ghost town
(Information from: KOB-TV, http://www.kob.com)
AMALIA, N.M. (AP) — A once bustling ski resort in northern New Mexico is now a ghost town.
KOB-TV in Albuquerque reports since Ski Rio in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains closed in 2000, the mountain hamlet mostly has been empty with few tourists.
In some cases, dishes, pots, pans and appliances remain at now-closed restaurants. The mountain that once hosted tourists has been deserted for nearly 20 years.
Joe Musich, the caretaker of the mountain, says improvements are in the works so visitors can experience the mountain, like the Casita Village that offers modern accommodations. But it's not clear if there are any bigger efforts to reopen the resort close to Amalia, New Mexico.
___
INSURANCE PROVIDER-TAXES
New Mexico AG, insurance firm reach $18.5M settlement
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Attorney General's Office has reached an $18.5 million settlement agreement with the state's largest health insurance provider over unpaid premium taxes.
Attorney General Hector Balderas on Monday announced the settlement with the for-profit insurance arm of Presbyterian Healthcare Services concerning unpaid insurance premium taxes dating back to 2003-2004.
Presbyterian Healthcare Services CEO Dale Maxwell says fraud allegations against the company were dropped prior to payment of the settlement. He says the payment will not interfere with the company's ability to provide health care coverage.
Prosecutors had accused insurance subsidiary Presbyterian Health Plan of using an illegal accounting procedure to avoid taxes and surcharges.
The settlement represents a larger amount than the $14.3 million in unpaid premium taxes described in a recent state-commissioned audit.
METH TRAFFICKING PLEA
Alabama man pleads guilty to meth trafficking in New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An Alabama man has pleaded guilty to a methamphetamine trafficking charge in New Mexico and is facing a five-year prison sentence.
Prosecutors say 25-year-old Ralonte Terrell Swain, of Jasper, entered a plea agreement Monday in federal court in Albuquerque.
Swain remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
Federal drug agents arrested Swain in June 2017 after seizing about 245 grams of crystal methamphetamine from him at a bus station in Albuquerque.
Authorities say the meth was contained in a clear plastic, oblong shaped bundle concealed inside of a travel neck-type pillow.
Swain admitted that he intended to deliver the methamphetamine to another person for further distribution when he reached his intended destination.
He was charged with possession of meth with intent to distribute.
PNM-POWER SUPPLY
New Mexico utility seeks more electricity options
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's largest electric provider is putting out a request for proposals to provide power in the event that the coal-fired power plant it operates in the northwestern corner of the state were to shut down after 2022.
Public Service Co. of New Mexico plans to shutter two units at the San Juan Generating Station before the end of the year and has suggested that it will stop using coal as fuel by 2031.
The utility announced the request for proposals late last week, saying it's looking for a combination of sources that can ensure the reliability of the system. It pegged the amount at 456 megawatts.
The utility says it's also encouraging renewable and battery-storage options.
Interested parties will have until Nov. 30 to announce their intention to bid. Proposals will be due in January.
JAIL-DRUG SMUGGLE
Police: Man got arrested to join jail drug smuggling scheme
(Information from: The Eastern New Mexico News, http://www.easternnewmexiconews.com)
CLOVIS, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a man intentionally got himself arrested for shoplifting so he could participate in a drug smuggling scheme in a New Mexico jail.
The Eastern New Mexico News reports Kelby Spain was charged last week for conspiracy to commit bringing contraband into the Curry County jail.
But authorities say the 23-year-old Spain's plot began earlier this month. According to police, Spain was released from jail on Oct. 3 in connection with drug and robbery charges only to get arrested two hours later.
A convenient store employee told officers Spain had "walked into the store to the beer aisle, picked up a Bud Light, told her to call the cops, then walked outside."
Authorities later found marijuana on Spain while in jail.
Spain has not been assigned an attorney.