NEW MEXICO’S SECRETARY OF STATE HASN’T BEEN SEEN FOR 18 DAYS NOW … BUT SHE’S DUE IN COURT IN SANTA FE TUESDAY MORNING TO BE ARRAIGNED. CHARGES WERE FILED AGAINST DIANNA DURAN BY STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL HECTOR BALDERAS THAT INCLUDE FRAUD, EMBEZZLEMENT, AND MONEY LAUNDERING. THEY’RE RELATED TO ALLEGATIONS THAT SHE MISUSED CAMPAIGN DONATIONS TO PAY OFF CASINO GAMBLING DEBTS.
THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE THAT’LL DECIDE IF IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS SHOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST DURAN ALSO MEETS FOR THE FIRST TIME TUESDAY IN SANTA FE. THE COMMITTEE OF 10 INCLUDES FIVE REPUBLICANS AND FIVE DEMOCRATS. NO PUBLIC OFFICIAL HAS EVER BEEN IMPEACHED IN NEW MEXICO.
DURAN COULD BE THE FIRST PUBLIC OFFICIAL IN NEW MEXICO TO EVER BE IMPEACHED IF IT’S APPROVED BY LEGISLATORS.
