Courts

Waters Of The U.S. Rule Blocked Nationwide

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NMED News:

The Oct. 9 Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling applying a nationwide stay of the Environmental Protection Agency’s and Army Corps of Engineer’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule affirms the success already achieved by the New Mexico Environment Department, Office of the State Engineer, and 12 other Rocky Mountain coalition states in halting the implementation of the WOTUS rule, while the rule’s serious deficiencies are litigated. 

The federal appeals court in Ohio ruled that delaying implementation of the WOTUS rule nationwide, while litigation proceeds, would not threaten Read More

AFTNM/ATF Lawsuit Against NMPED Concludes With Motion For Preliminary Injunction Today

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AFTNM/AFT News:
 
SANTA FE ― American Federation of Teachers New Mexico and the Albuquerque Teachers Federation’s District Court lawsuit against the New Mexico Public Education Department concludes today with the plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction.
 
This lawsuit seeks to provide relief to educators across New Mexico by pausing, and eventually seeking to prevent the use of high-stakes testing in the evaluation of education professionals.
 
It is the belief of AFTNM and ATF that the current evaluation system, imposed by Public Education Department
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Suspect Pleads Guilty To Theft At Los Alamos Historical Museum

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William Ryan Skelton. File photo

COURT News:

William Ryan Skelton turned himself in over the weekend following a news release issued Oct. 1 by Los Alamos police asking the public’s assistance to locate him.

Skelton, 30, was suspected of robbing a cash box at the Los Alamos Historical Museum Sept. 25 and damaging property near Bathtub Row in Los Alamos. He faced Judge Pat Casados Monday in Magistrate Court and pleaded guilty to larceny and criminal damage to property.

Judge Casados sentenced Skelton to 90 days in jail, 45 days for larceny and 45 days for criminal damage to property, to run Read More

Many Millions To Settle Livermore Lay-off Suit

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Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory span one square mile. Courtesy/LLNL

LLNL News:

The claims of 129 of the plaintiffs in the long-running lawsuit brought by 130 former workers against Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have been resolved.

In the settlement, the Laboratory has agreed to pay the former employees a total of $37.25 million in contract damages. 

The lawsuit arose out of a 2008 workforce restructuring at the Laboratory, which impacted more than 1,000 employees. In 2013, the claims of five “test plaintiffs,” out of the 130, were litigated in two separate jury trials.

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SEC Alleges TCC And Former Bank Executives Committed Accounting Fraud

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SEC News:

Washington D.C. — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Trinity Capital Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Los Alamos National Bank, have agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle accounting fraud charges.

An SEC investigation found that Trinity materially misstated its provision for loan losses and its allowance for loan and lease losses in its quarterly and annual filings with the Commission during 2010, 2011, and the first two quarters of 2012. Specifically, Trinity understated its reported 2011 net loss available to common shareholders by $30.5 Read More

District Court Testimony Begins Wednesday On Preliminary Injunction Pausing High-stakes Testing In Evaluation Of Education Professionals

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AFT NM News:

SANTA FE – American Federation of Teachers New Mexico and the Albuquerque Teachers Federation’s District Court lawsuit against the New Mexico Public Education Department advances as Wednesday’s hearing commences a motion for a preliminary injunction.

This lawsuit seeks to provide relief to educators across New Mexico by pausing, and eventually seeking to prevent the use of high-stakes testing in the evaluation of education professionals.

It is the belief of AFT NM and ATF that the current evaluation system, imposed by Public Education Department rule, is unsound, Read More

Los Alamos Judge Pat Casados Elected Secretary-Treasurer Of New Mexico Magistrate Judges Association

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Los Alamos County Magistrate Judge Pat A. Casados

COURT News:

ALBUQUERQUE – The Magistrate Judges Association elected new officers last week during the annual Magistrate Judges Conference in Albuquerque.

Newly elected officers include:

  • President – Santa Fe County Magistrate Court Judge George Anaya Jr.;
  • Vice president – Valencia County Magistrate Judge John R. Chavez; and
  • Secretary-Treasurer – Los Alamos County Magistrate Judge Pat A. Casados.

The Magistrate Judges Association was established in 1970 as a nonprofit organization and its activities include advocating for legislation Read More

Common Cause Statement On SOS Charges

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Common Cause New Mexico’s Executive Director Viki Harrison

CCNM News:

Common Cause New Mexico’s Executive Director Viki Harrison released the following statement Sunday regarding the Secretary of State situation:

“Like the rest of the state, Common Cause New Mexico was shocked to hear of the criminal complaints filed against our Secretary of State, Dianna Duran, by the Attorney General.

“As Secretary of State, Dianna Duran is the elected official in New Mexico in charge of many important functions, including the implementation of campaign finance laws; ethics enforcement for candidates Read More

Charges Filed Against Secretary Of State Dianna Duran

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Secretary of State Dianna Duran

Staff Report

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas charged Secretary of State Dianna Duran Friday in District Court with 64 counts including embezzlement, fraud, money laundering, violations of the Campaign Practice Act, tampering with public records, conspiracy and violation of a Governmental Conduct Act.

The investigation into Duran’s alleged misuse of campaign funds and withdrawal of money at casinos around the state began following a tip.

Gov. Susana Martinez said in a statement to the media, “I have spoken to the Attorney General about Read More

New Mexico Judiciary Endorses Bail Reform Constitutional Amendment

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SUPREME COURT News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― The New Mexico Judiciary will ask the Legislature to let voters decide whether to approve reforms to the bail system for the release of criminal defendants awaiting trial.
 
The proposed amendment to the New Mexico Constitution will allow judges the lawful option of denying pretrial release on bail to defendants who are too dangerous or unreasonable flight risks. The proposal also will guarantee that no person entitled to pretrial release is held in jail simply because they are financially unable to afford a money bond.    
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