Attorney General Hector Balderas

From the Office of the Attorney General: 

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas has  announced the filing of an indictment against Crystal Lucero, a former employee of Congregation Albert Synagogue.

The indictment contains nine counts, including forgery, larceny and embezzlement.

Congregation Albert Synagogue, established in 1897, is the oldest Jewish organization of continued existence in New Mexico. 

“Nonprofit organizations like synagogues, rely on trusted employees for much of their financial management and oversight, and it is a tragedy that someone would exploit this vulnerable organization for personal gain,” Attorney General Balderas said.

Lucero is alleged to have used her position as a former administrative employee at Congregation Albert to write unauthorized checks to herself and make unauthorized purchases with Congregation Albert funds. Between 2016 and 2019 Lucero is alleged to have taken more than $700,000 from the Congregation without permission. Lucero resigned from her position in June 2019. 

The case was investigated by the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General Special Investigations Unit and New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Andrew Coffing. Although Lucero has been charged, she is presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial.

A copy of the indictment is attached.