Last week investigators with the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office raided Las Vegas’ City Hall offices as well as the home of its mayor in search of evidence of bid-rigging.According to KRQE, Mayor Tonita Gurule-Giron has been accused of leaking bidding info to her boyfriend, Marvin Salazar of Gemini Construction. Members of the city’s leadership reportedly came forward and told investigators that they believed she used her influence to get a city hall flooring job for Salazar’s company. The mayor asked what prior bids had been made. When told that the information was confidential, she reportedly said, “I was elected to know everything and I will know everything.” The leading bid had been $9,000 until Gemini bid $8,998 and got the job. Salazar would end up charging the city more than $19,000. The mayor also allegedly helped Salazar procure a contract to install a scoreboard at a little league field for $700 that was completed at a cost of $3,000. Salazar was also awarded a contract to replace water-damaged flooring at City Hall, charging $94,000. A search warrant listed other alleged grievances as well.Gurule-Giron has denied that she is in a relationship with Salazar.
Newscity: Iraqi Asylum Seeker Given Reprieve
An Iraqi man who came to the US as a refugee during the Gulf War was allowed to leave an Albuquerque church without the fear of being deported.The Associated Press reports that last week, the US Department of Justice immigration appeals panel removed a deportation order placed on Kadhim Al-bumohammed, an Iraqi man who gained “refugee status” in 1994. In 2017, Al-bumohammed allegedly defied a federal immigration order to appear for a hearing where he expected to be detained for deportation in connection with a domestic violence conviction in California. He reportedly received sanctuary in an Albuquerque church for 730 days.The ACLU says the ruling allows the 66-year-old Albuquerque resident to reapply for permanent residence through his US citizen son and wife.
Newscity: Gov. Vows To End Child Hunger
Last week Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham told those gathered at a Kids Count Conference that she wants to end child hunger in New Mexico within year.According to KOB, the governor says the problems facing our state’s children weren’t addressed by the previous administration. “New Mexico needs to institute universal food security services and programs in this state,” she said. “Every single philanthropic partner has to be dedicated to making sure no child in this state will ever go hungry again, and I don’t care if it’s a universal [SNAP] program.”Lujan Grisham said the state’s Children Youth and Families Department has held hiring events to recruit more employees.
