Griego guilty of fraud, bribery
After more than two weeks of twisting, complicated testimony, a Santa Fe jury took a single day to convict former state senator Phil Griego of five crimes. He faces potentially more than 17 years in prison when he's sentenced in February. He didn't speak to reporters as he left the courtroom—a judge declined to send him to jail until sentencing—but his attorney said Griego was surprised by the verdict. Here's the SFR story that set the case in motion.
Boundary busters
This week's SFR story is a worrying look at how some Santa Fe Public Schools employees seem to have been singling out students whom they suspected were attending a school outside the boundaries of the school that the district's zoning map says they should attend. Parents desperate to pursue a better education for their kids may falsify their address, and deep differences in school quality exist despite a funding formula designed to create a more equitable education.
SFPD won’t be charged in fatal shooting
A panel of outside prosecutors says Santa Fe police officer Leonardo Guzman was within his legal right as a law enforcement officer when he shot and killed Andrew Lucero in April. The outside review is a new process for local police officers. First Judicial District Attorney Marco Serna implemented the system after a series of SFR stories last year questioned the practice of investigative grand juries, which are assembled especially to review police use of of force but cannot indict officers.
Brack smack
Federal District Court Judge Robert Brack is not having it. He's the man overseeing the Albuquerque Police Department's response to a court-approved settlement agreement stemming from APD's unconstitutional policing practices. The city recently complained that the independent monitor it hired to act as an expert and a liaison between the court and the department had it in for the city. An assistant chief secretly recorded a conversation with the monitor, which the department later paraded in front of the media. The judge said that "comes dangerously close to obstruction of this reform process" and castigated the chief from the bench. In a 17-page ruling, he denied the city's attempt to have the monitor declared biased.
SFUAD suit moves forward
A group of 54 students suing the Santa Fe University of Art and Design for its decision to close next spring got the go-ahead from a state District Court judge yesterday. The students say the for-profit school's decision to close amounts to fraud, breach of contract and unjust enrichment. It's an accusation the school and its parent companies deny. Roughly 160 students will graduate next spring in the school's final class.
Sandoval backs off drilling rules
Facing a gusher of angry public sentiment, the Sandoval County Commission voted early this morning to amend a proposed regulation for oil and gas exploration in the county, which includes thousands of acres of wide open space, as well as densely populated Rio Rancho and Native Pueblos. The change requires more oversight for exploration in heavily populated parts of the county instead of the administrative process that presumed the drilling to be already permitted by the county. The final vote on the measure won't be until next year.
Sour taste
The owner of a now-closed sandwich shop in Santa Fe is suing the state Department of Health in federal court, claiming their accusation that his food caused massive illness at a department holiday party last year is without merit and, in part, forced him to close. Shannon Quintana, who owned the Kick Ass Sandwich Shop, filed the lawsuit without an attorney. The Health Department says the culprit was probably his steak.
Lobo women push for title
The University of New Mexico women's cross country team will race for its second national title tomorrow in Kentucky. The team has become a juggernaut in recent years. It's been nearly lights out all season long and hits the trail against rivals Colorado tomorrow morning.
Thanks for reading! The Word thinks you should hold on to your hat this afternoon, it's gonna be windy. Have a great weekend!
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