THE DIANNA DURAN SAGA HAS TAKEN TWO MAJOR TURNS FRIDAY. NEW MEXICO’S SECRETARY OF STATE HAS RESIGNED…AND HAS ALSO AGREED TO A PLEA DEAL. UNDER THE ARRANGEMENT, DURAN PLEADED GUILTY TO TWO FELONY COUNTS OF EMBEZZLEMENT, AND FOUR MISDEMEANOR COUNTS. SHE FACED 65 CRIMINAL CHARGES FOR MISUSING CAMPAIGN MONEY. THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE IS RECOMMENDING PROBATION, BUT A JUDGE COULD STILL IMPOSE JAIL TIME, IN WHICH CASE THE PLEA AGREEMENT WOULD BE WITHDRAWN. GOVERNOR MARTINEZ WILL APPOINT DURAN’S SUCCESSOR. DURAN IS SCHEDULED TO BE SENTENCED IN DECEMBER.
