THE NEW MEXICO ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE SAYS A 2012 PUBLIC CORRUPTION LAW ISN’T TOUGH ENOUGH WHEN IT COMES TO PENSION FORFEITURE. SPOKESMAN JAMES HALLINAN SAYS THE PUBLIC WAS MISLED THAT LAWMAKERS HAD PASSED A STATUTE INTENDED TO TAKE AWAY PENSIONS FROM CORRUPT OFFICIALS.
HALLINAN TELLS 770 KKOB THE LAW DOESN’T EVEN MENTION THE WORDS “PENSION” OR “RETIREMENT.” HE SAYS A-G HECTOR BALDERAS HAS SPOKEN WITH THE BILL’S ORIGINAL SPONSOR, REPRESENTATIVE KEN MARTINEZ, ABOUT BEEFING UP THE LAW.
FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE DIANNA DURAN WAS ALLOWED TO KEEP HER PENSION AFTER SHE RESIGNED AS PART OF A PLEA DEAL FOR MISUSING CAMPAIGN MONEY.
