MLG and brother (Journal)

What's next on the higher education front after that in-your-face appointment by the Governor of her 64 year old brother Greg Lujan as the new student regent at New Mexico Highlands University? 

Well, how about the appointment of Lt. Governor Howie Morales as the new president of Western New Mexico University at Silver City where Joseph Shepard was forced out because of a spending scandal?

The Governor doesn't actually make that appointment but the school's regents who are appointed by the chief executive do make the pick. Morales has made it no secret that his "dream job" is the WNMU presidency in his native Silver City, an area he served as state senator before becoming lieutenant governor in 2019. He does come with qualifications as his bio notes:

(Morales) is a native of Silver City, where he still resides with his two children. Howie earned a PhD in Education from New Mexico State University – going on to be a classroom teacher and successful coach for a decade.

A Morales appointment would be an insider pick but not the stomach punch lame duck Governor MLG delivered when she chose her brother for that Highlands position in the aftermath of the outrage over Shepard's activities.

Shepard was given an over-the-top $1.9 million cash buyout by the clubby WNMU regents, a buyout still being challenged by the Attorney General. 

And speaking of Attorney General, don't forget that former two termer AG Hector Balderas is now president of Northern New Mexico Community College with Howie perhaps joining the club in the near future. Maybe they can start a poker night (but probably best to leave out the Guv's brother).

Of course, if amiable Howie lands that WNMU post--which pays on the order of $200K a year--MLG would be appointing a new lieutenant governor to fill out the remainder of his term that runs until 2027. Some wags already are advancing freshly-minted gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland as a possible replacement. But Sam Bregman might be more entertaining. 

In any event MLG's lame-duck appointment of her brother yet again frustrates the public as cronyism, wasteful spending and feeble oversight remain cornerstones of La Politica. 

RIDICULOUS OR NOT?

Sheriff Allen

The sprawling APD DWI bribery scandal touched the office of Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen when one of his deputies was placed on administrative leave because of the Federal investigation into the bribery scheme. 

Allen complained in an interview that the Feds were not communicating with him about the investigation. A campaign contribution from one of the scandal ringleaders--paralegal and convicted felon Rick Mendez--was also noted here this week. 

We called that a "red flag" and said all campaign contributions and fund-raisers of those involved and pleading guilty in the scheme should be examined as the scandal grows octopus-like tentacles. 

Allen's campaign manager, Neri Holguin, begs to disagree: 

As a candidate for Sheriff in 2022, John Allen received just $200 from Rick Mendez and nothing from attorney Thomas Clear. To suggest that "red flags" should be raised because Sheriff Allen disclosed that contribution, is ridiculous. Of course John Allen had no idea Mendez was involved in a DWI corruption scheme that involved the city, state and BCSO and he has since donated the $200 contribution to MADD, a group John has supported for years. 

Ridiculous, Neri? 

What is "ridiculous" is the utter apathy by the political class over this corruption. 

Of course, any campaign contributions by the DWI bribery felons to law enforcement or the judiciary should be reported and analyzed. 

That doesn't mean the recipients are guilty of anything but unless we want another 30 year run of bribery and deception at the state's largest police force--and however long it has been nesting in the offices of the sheriff and state police--every rock needs to be turned over.

This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.