Treasurer Pleads Not Guilty in Kickbacks
The New Mexico state treasurer and his predecessor pleaded not guilty in Albuquerque to federal racketeering charges involving kickbacks of cash, cars and expensive tickets to political fundraisers.
Robert Vigil and former Treasurer Michael Montoya, both Democrats, are accused of steering state business to an investment advisor in exchange for nearly $700,000. Each could face a maximum sentence of 20 years on each of two counts.
Prosecutors say Montoya was paid about $632,000 and that Vigil received about $54,000 from a financial advisor hired to help invest state funds.
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