The Line: Former NM Senator Still Spending Campaign Funds

October 23, 2015 – We learned this week that former state Senator Phil Griego continues to spend campaign funds. He stepped down from his position in the legislature earlier this year amid serious ethics allegations. Is Griego breaking the law in how he is currently spending campaign money? Gene Grant leads a discussion with this week’s Line opinion panelists.

New Mexico in Focus tapes the Line discussion on Thursday mornings. The panelists also discussed proposed changes in campaign finance rules and whether Secretary of State Dianna Duran should oversee work on those rules while facing charges of embezzlement, fraud and identity theft.

Duran announced her resignation late Thursday night and pleaded guilty to two felony charges and additional misdemeanor charges on Friday morning. Duran spoke with local media outside the courthouse and defended her career in public service, according to coverage from the New Mexico Political Report. 

What do you think about Duran’s resignation and plea agreement? Let us know in the comments or send us an email (nmif@nmpbs.org).

LINE PANELISTS:
Dan Foley, former House Minority Whip
Janice Arnold-Jones, former state senator
Sophie Martin, attorney and editor of DukeCityFix.com
Laura Sanchez-Rivét, Sanchez Legal Solutions