By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico Watchdog
NOTHING TO SMILE ABOUT: Since 2006, New Mexico taxpayers have yet to see resolution in the case of former Democratic state representative Vince “Smiley” Gallegos.
Update 12/19: According to KRQE-TV, Vincent “Smiley” Gallegos pleaded no contest this morning to four counts of attempt to commit a felony and won’t be spending any time behind bars after making a deal with the state.
Judge Ross Sanchez then sentenced the former state representative to one year of supervised probation, although a civil case is still pending and Gallegos could have to pay restitution.
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It’s taken nearly eight years, but it appears as though a trial will finally be held in the case of former New Mexico state Rep. Vincent “Smiley” Gallegos, D-Curry and Roosevelt counties.
The criminal case alleges fraud, embezzlement and conspiracy involving money tied to the now defunct Region III Housing Authority.
Monday in Albuquerque, attorneys for Gallegos and co-defendants Robert Strumor and Dennis Kennedy and prosecutors with the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office were unable to reach an agreement, prompting Judge Ross C. Sanchez to say the the trial will start in May.
The trial will mark the five-year anniversary of grand jury testimony and eight years since charges were made at the housing authority. Those charges included:
- Misspent money on such things as private club memberships and alcohol with funds that were supposed to buy and renovate homes for low and moderate-income families
- Questions about a $300,000 loan the housing authority made to Gallegos.
- That in the sales of 40 properties, the money received from buyers did not go to pay off bonds.
- The authority withdrew bond money to buy five properties it already owned.
- The authority withdrew $880,000 to buy 16 properties, but paid just $280,000 for them.
- The authority allowed a state judge and an aide to then-Speaker of the House Ben Lujan, D-Nambe, to live rent free in authority homes.
- Housing authority employees and a member of the board of directors bought homes through the program, even though they did not qualify.
Gallegos, the housing authority director at the time, has pleaded not guilty, along with co-defendants Robert Strumor, who was the authority’s bond counsel, and Dennis Kennedy, who was the authority’s accountant.
Judge Sanchez has scheduled another status hearing for Feb. 12.
Contact Rob Nikolewski at rnikolewski@watchdog.org and follow him on Twitter @robnikolewski
