Courts

National Security And Export Controls – A Conversation With Eric Hirschhorn April 14

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CIR News:
 
The Council on International Relations and Congregation Beit Tikva are pleased to present Eric L. Hirschhorn, Under Secretary of the U.S. Commerce Department for the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) at 5 p.m., Thursday, April 14  at Congregation Beit Tikva, 2230 Old Pecos Trail in Santa Fe.
 
Hirschhorn’s talk is entitled, “National Security and Export Controls.” Cost is $20 for non-members; $15 for CIR members.
 
The discussion (with moderator John Liebman) will focus on current challenges and tools for limiting the loss of valuable U.S.
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Court Of Appeals To Hold Hearing At Laguna-Acoma High School

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COURT News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― Students at Laguna-Acoma High School will have an opportunity today to better understand New Mexico’s judicial system when the Court of Appeals hears arguments at the school in a criminal case.

Students in grades 9-12 at this school, about 50 miles west of Albuquerque, will be able to watch as lawyers appear before a panel of three judges in a case involving an Albuquerque man appealing his conviction on drug charges. After the arguments, judges will take questions from students.

 
The Court of Appeals is not a trial court and there will be no
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Frivolous Tax Arguments Completes IRS ‘Dirty Dozen’ List Of Tax Scams For 2016 Filing Season

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IRS News:
 
PHOENIX ― The Internal Revenue Service finished its 2016 “Dirty Dozen” tax scams list by warning taxpayers against using frivolous tax arguments to avoid paying their taxes.
 
Also, the IRS released the 2016 version of “The Truth about Frivolous Tax Arguments.” The document describes and responds to some of the common frivolous tax arguments made by those who oppose compliance with federal tax laws.
 
Examples include contentions that taxpayers can refuse to pay taxes on religious or moral grounds by invoking the First Amendment. The cases cited in
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Gov. Appoints VanDenzen Chief Hearing Officer

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STATE News:
 
SANTA FE — Gov. Martinez has announced the appointment of Brian VanDenzen as chief hearing officer for the Administrative Hearings Office.
 
VanDenzen spent four years in both public and private legal practice, and the last ten years of his career as a tax hearing officer at the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. Since 2014, he has served as interim chief hearing officer, overseeing both the hearings bureau and the administrative hearings office.
 
As part of the Governor’s continuing efforts to make New Mexico more business friendly, independent
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Former Officers Of New Mexico-Based Defense Contractor Plead Guilty To Criminal Charges Relating To Iraq Rebuilding Efforts

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FBI News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― Two former officers of a New Mexico-based defense contracting firm pleaded guilty Feb. 26, 2016, to criminal charges arising out of their involvement in a scheme to solicit and accept kickbacks in return for favorable treatment in awarding subcontracts relating to wartime rebuilding projects in Iraq. 
 
Neal Kasper, 66, of Montana, and his wife Tiffany White, 49, of Cibolo, Texas, entered their guilty pleas in federal court in Albuquerque. Kasper pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to solicit and accept kickbacks charges,
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Animal Legal Defense Fund Files Complaint With USDA

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ALDF News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― After receiving a series of complaints from individuals who adopted from and/or visited McIntoch’s Southern Roc puppy mill, the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) sent an undercover investigator who captured video, which confirm the allegations.
 
The ALDF filed a complaint against the breeder with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) identifying numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) readily visible in video footage taken on their premise. 
 
Southern Roc, which is operated by Southern Sollars,
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New Mexico GOP Releases Statement On Democrat Allegations Against Justice Nakamura

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GOP News:

ALBUQUERQUE – The Republican Party of New Mexico released the following statement on the Democrats’ allegations against Justice Judy Nakamura:

“This is a desperate attempt by the Democrats to smear Justice Nakamura’s campaign and the Republican Party’s efforts to support her. It was planned that this message come from the campaign, rather than Justice Nakamura personally. We recognize that the language in the letter could have more clearly reflected this intention.”

“This was an honest mistake amongst both parties, and there Read More

Maria Sanchez-Gagne Announces Candidacy For DA In First Judicial District

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Maria Sanchez-Gagne

POLITICAL News:

SANTA FE – Santa Fe native and long-time prosecutor, Maria Sanchez-Gagne, announced today that she will be seeking the position of District Attorney for the First Judicial District, representing Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties.

Sanchez-Gagne is collecting petition signatures and will formally file her declaration of candidacy with the Secretary of State on candidate filing day March 8.

“I am pleased to announce my candidacy for this position. I have served our community for 20 years as a criminal prosecutor seeking justice for victims, Read More

Marco Serna Enters Race For DA In First Judicial District

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Marco Serna

POLITICAL News:

SANTA FE – After talking to community leaders and his family, attorney Marco Serna has decided to enter the District Attorney’s race for the First Judicial District.

Serna is a product of the Santa Fe and Espanola community, attending Atalaya Elementary School and St. Michael’s Middle School and High School.  He received his Juris Doctorate from St. Mary’s. 

Serna began his legal work as a Senior Litigator for the State of NM Risk Management Department, and then transferred to the Thirteenth District Attorney’s office working his way up to Supervisor Read More