'Today we filed an Information alleging 64 criminal violations by Secretary of State Dianna J. Duran including embezzlement, fraud, money laundering, violations of the Campaign Practice Act...' -- New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas
Attorney General Hector Balderas today filed a criminal information charging New Mexico Secretary of State Dianne Duran with campaign-related fraud.
Balderas is a Democrat. Duran is a Republican. The announcement came in a statement from Balderas’ spokesman, James Hallinan:
“Today we filed an Information alleging 64 criminal violations by Secretary of State Dianna J. Duran including embezzlement, fraud, money laundering, violations of the Campaign Practice Act, tampering with public records, conspiracy, and a Governmental Conduct Act violation. Our office will proceed transparently by way of preliminary hearing. Through that process, all facts supporting these allegations will be presented. That is all the information that we are able to provide at this time.”
The announcement of the charges came after the Santa Fe County District Court, where the charge was reportedly filed, had closed.
Duran or her spokesman, Kenneth Ortiz, could not be immediately reached for comment.
Ironically, the last news release received by ABQ Free Press from the Office of the Secretary of State in June involved a willingness by Duran to cooperate in strengthening campaign finance laws. In that release, Duran stated:
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