ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Critics of Bernalillo County Treasure Manny Ortiz have the green light to try to force him into a recall election. District Court Judge Alan Malott's ruling allows opponents of Ortiz to begin collecting the more than 82,000 voter signatures that are required to trigger the proposed recall election. The judge dismissed most of the allegations against Ortiz but ruled there is reason to believe that Ortiz wrongly managed county investments. Malott cited testimony that Ortiz sold bonds at a loss late last year and didn't heed warnings about committing to long-term investments.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that Ortiz declined to comment as he left the courtroom after Thursday's hearing.
Under the New Mexico Constitution, recall efforts targeting county officials require a judge's approval.
