Embezzlement case moves forward against ex-tax official

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A judge has found sufficient evidence for a trial to take place against New Mexico's former top-ranked taxation official on charges including embezzlement.
New Mexico Attorney General's Office spokesman David Carl said Friday that a judge ordered a trial to go forward against former Taxation and Revenue Secretary Demesia Padilla on felony charges of embezzlement and using her position in government for personal gain. The judge also upheld several misdemeanor charges linked to state ethics laws after five days of testimony from witnesses.
Defense attorney Paul Kennedy declined to comment on the proceedings. Padilla has not entered a plea.
Padilla was the state's top tax official for five years under Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. She resigned in 2016 after a law enforcement raid on tax department offices.