SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Attorney General's Office is pushing for an initial court hearing to present fraud charges against a former state senator after several judges have recused themselves from the case.
Revised charges against former Democratic Sen. Phil Griego were filed Tuesday in state First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe. Four judges have bowed out of taking the case since a nine-count criminal complaint was filed against Griego on Feb. 29.
Griego maintains his innocence and has not yet formally entered a plea. Prosecutors say Griego used his role as a legislator to receive personal compensation in a real estate deal and then failed to disclose it as required by state law.