Hector and Marie Gonzalez allegedly used fraudulent, counterfeit or forged documents to obtain a New Mexico driver's license from the Sunland Park Motor Vehicle Division.
More criminal charges in Sunland Park election fraud and public corruption
By Diana Alba Soular \ Las Cruces Sun-News
05/20/2012
LAS CRUCES -- More criminal charges were filed Friday in the ongoing investigation of election fraud and public corruption in Sunland Park.
New charges were filed against Silvia Gomez, Jesus Dario Hernandez, Gilbert Velez, Hector Gonzalez and Marie Gonzalez, said Doña Ana County District Attorney Amy Orlando on Saturday.
Charges against Gomez, the town's former senior center director, relate to her role in allegedly registering four Texas residents to vote in the March 6 Sunland Park Municipal Election. She had been charged previously for allegedly registering another Texas couple to vote.
Hernandez, the former Sunland Park public works director, was also charged with voter fraud. He is sought but still at large for his alleged role in the extortion of mayoral candidate Gerardo Hernandez and in fraud involving a trip to Mexico.
Velez, Sunland Park's IT manager, was charged with tampering with evidence on Feb. 21 while members of New Mexico State Police were trying to execute a search warrant at City Hall, records show.
The final set of charges filed Friday relate to a Texas couple, Hector and Marie Gonzalez, for allegedly using fraudulent, counterfeit or forged documents to obtain a New Mexico driver's license from the Sunland Park Motor Vehicle Division.
Hector and Marie Gonzalez are the parents of Luis Rene Diaz, who was charged in recent weeks for allegedly financing the extortion video used against Hernandez. The cost was allegedly billed to the city of Sunland
Park."The District Attorney's Office is committed to protecting the honest citizens of Sunland Park and New Mexico from the fraud and unfair practices that have plagued the city, prevented fair competition and limited government resources from dissemination to the public," Orlando said.
A string of criminal investigations surrounds former Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Salinas, who is also the former mayor-elect. The criminal charges started in February after mayoral candidate Hernandez claimed someone had tried to blackmail him with the release of a video of him and a topless dancer. Since then, allegations have grown to include kickback schemes, fraud and bribery.
Last week, state finance department Secretary Tom Clifford appointed one of his staff members to take over the positions of two suspended city finance officials.
Clifford announced last week the suspension of Finance Director Helen Gonzalez and purchasing agent Neryza Rivera, and he appointed Ryan Gleason to take over their duties.
Gonzalez and Rivera still have due-process hearings, during which they can argue their cases. The hearings will take place June 14, officials said.
Clifford could extend the suspensions or remove them.
A divide on the City Council has pitted Mayor Pro Tem Isabel Santos against another faction of councilors, who have attempted to circumvent her in the scheduling and posting of public meetings.
Despite public pressure, councilors can't agree on how they should fill the vacant mayor's seat. The two candidates are Hernandez and a former jewelry salesman, Javier Perea, 24.
On Monday, Salinas is set to enter a plea in connection with the most recent, nine felony charges he's facing. In all, he's charged with 33 felony counts. He has denied guilt.
More criminal charges in Sunland Park election fraud and public corruption - El Paso Times
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