Ex-state senator facing fraud, bribery charges

A former New Mexico state senator is facing nine criminal counts, including fraud and bribery.

In a statement from the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office, Phil Griego, a Democratic senator from Ribera who resigned last year, allegedly used his role as a legislator to receive personal compensation, which he then failed to disclose in filings required of legislators.

Griego resigned last year amid scrutiny over a real estate deal involving a state-owned building in Santa Fe.

The criminal complaint and request for summons filed Monday in First Judicial District Court says the Attorney General’s Office has been investigating Griego since April 27 of last year. He resigned March 14.

The criminal complaint says that the charges revolve around the sale of a Santa Fe building from the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) to Galisteo Street, Inc. (GSI).

GSI originally agreed to lease the property in Sept. 2012 and agreed to pay for maintenance costs and $250,000 in renovations. A year later, EMNRD agreed to sell the building to GSI, which required legislative approval.

Griego was tabbed to start the process in the state legislature by EMNRD Deputy Cabinet Secretary Brett Woods, and Griego got in touch with another senator to help sponsor the resolution, according to the criminal complaint.

The complaint alleges Griego presented the resolution, HJR 8, to a Senate committee and failed to raise flags the next day “as inaccurate and incomplete information” on the lease and sale was presented on the Senate floor.

The AG’s Office says that as GSI’s agent, Griego earned $50,000 in commissions that he never disclosed to the state. He also allegedly did not tell a broker who he owed 20 percent of commissions to about the transaction, then shorted another broker his commission as well.

According to state law, the AG’s Office contests that Griego’s interest and ations in the contract could invalidate it.

Griego is charged with two counts of violations of ethical principles of public service, bribery and solicitation, three counts of fraud, one count of perjury, one count of tampering with public records and with violating the Financial Disclosure Act.

Critics say it was unethical for him to profit from a legislative action.

When reached by phone Monday, Griego simply said, “I did nothing wrong,” and did not elaborate further, saying he was meeting with his attorney Tuesday and did not want to comment on an ongoing case. He did say he would fight the charges.

Gov. Susana Martinez appointed Sen. Ted Barela, R-Estancia, to Griego’s vacated seat last April.