NewMexicoMatters.com

Terrell sees it first

Though he may not look like it, Steve Terrell has made countless laps of the "Round House," making him one of the most observant reporters on the beat in New Mexico.

Case in point, Terrell's piece on Aragon's court appearance yesterday:

Aragon says he's 'completely innocent' in courthouse fraud case

Reporters followed the briskly walking Aragon -- who was surrounded by his lawyers, Tim Padilla and Ray Twohig, and about a dozen family members and friends -- about a block down the street in hopes of getting another word from the former senator, who is himself a criminal-defense lawyer.

Among those who greeted Aragon as he was leaving the courtroom were at least two lobbyists, Robert McBride and Ricardo Barros.

Technorati Tags: Bernalillo, corruption

Terrell Takes Aragon Story to Terra Firma

Though he may not look like it, Steve Terrell has made countless laps of the "Round House," making him one of the most observant reporters on the beat in New Mexico.

Aragon says he's 'completely innocent' in courthouse fraud case

Reporters followed the briskly walking Aragon -- who was surrounded by his lawyers, Tim Padilla and Ray Twohig, and about a dozen family members and friends -- about a block down the street in hopes of getting another word from the former senator, who is himself a criminal-defense lawyer.

Among those who greeted Aragon as he was leaving the courtroom were at least two lobbyists, Robert McBride and Ricardo Barros.

Technorati Tags: Bernalillo, corruption

Democrats respond to Aragon's Indictment

Excerpts from ABQjournal: Senate Mixed on Indictments:

Gov. Richardson: Richardson's office declined to comment on the indictments Thursday.

Former A.G. Patricia Madrid, a Democrat who ran unsuccessfully for Congress against Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., last year, said Thursday she hoped that top Republicans hadn't compromised the indictment and the federal investigation that produced it. Madrid cited what she called the "improper and unethical conduct of Sen. Pete Domenici and Congresswoman Heather Wilson, and Karl Rove and the Bush administration, with regard to the firing of U.S. Attorney David Iglesias."

DPNM State Chair: John Wertheim, chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, also mentioned Domenici and Wilson in his statement, saying he hoped their "attempted political manipulation of these indictments" did not play into defense attorneys' hands. "Because if these indictments do not lead to convictions, Wilson and Domenici will be to blame," he said.

Sen. Michael Sanchez: In interviews Thursday, Sanchez said the courthouse case indictments did not change his mind. He recalled that former state Treasurer Robert Vigil was convicted last year on only one of 24 extortion-related counts, although many thought he would be convicted on more.
    "If I recall way back when, everyone had Vigil convicted of every single count that he was accused of. But after a jury heard all the evidence and listened to it all, instead of reacting to the impact of it ... I think that's why you say let the process go forward."

Senate President Pro Tem Ben Altamirano, D-Silver City, said the FBI had interviewed him last summer as part of the ongoing investigation into the courthouse case, but he said Thursday's indictments still caught him by surprise.
"I just can't imagine a person ... of Manny's integrity, his hard work, his knowledge, the honesty that he portrayed during his term of office, as big-hearted as he was, I never would expect this to happen," Altamirano said.

Technorati Tags: corruption, DPNM, lobbying, newmexico, NM, Politics, reform, voting

Jury Indicts Aragon in alleged kickback scam!

Jury Indicts Aragon in alleged kickback scam

By Steve Terrell

Former Senate leader and three others face charges of conspiracy, mail fraud and money laundering in courthouse corruption probe

Manny Aragon for decades was one of the most powerful figures in New Mexico state government.

Today the Albuquerque Democrat stands accused, along with three others, in an alleged scheme to cheat the state out of more than $4 million in the construction of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court House.

Technorati Tags: corruption, Elections, Fundraising, lobbying, newmexico, Politics, reform

Alamogordo Daily News - Controversial Aragon could return to politics

Alamogordo Daily News - Controversial Aragon could return to politics:
SANTA FE What's next for Manny Aragon, the recently deposed president of New Mexico Highlands University? No doubt about it. He's sure to land somewhere in the public eye. Will it be as a lawyer, lobbyist, administrator, consultant, professor, legislator or something we'd never guess?At 59, Aragon still is full of energy, ideas and attitude. Who will want him? Friends say he can take his pick of offers. But along with Manny's many talents comes a sure fire ability to generate controversy.Aragon could reopen his law practice. But he already had closed that several years before he assumed the Highlands presidency. Apparently there wasn't enough to excite him.Many former legislators become lobbyists. No one has a better background

and persuasive abilities than Aragon. But can he make the switch from a powerful lawmaker to a lobbyist who must be sensitive to the whims of legislative powerhouses such as he was?

Technorati Tags: Blogs, corruption, Democrats, Elections, lobbying, New Mexico, Patricia Madrid, Politics, reform, Republicans