The Attorney General’s office handed down indictments on state Public Regulation District 3 Commissioner Jerome Block Jr. and his father, former Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block Sr., for charges related to public financing for his election campaign.
Block Jr. was indicted on eight felony counts: two counts of violation of the election code, two counts of conspiracy to violate the election code, two counts of embezzlement and one count each of tampering with evidence and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Block Sr. was indicted for violation of the election code, conspiracy to violate the election code, tampering with evidence and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Block Jr. first drew fire his handling of public finance monies last fall when a complaint was filed by political advocacy group Common Cause New Mexico against Block Jr. with the Secretary of State’s office.
Among other accusations, Block Jr. had reported paying $2,500 to Las Vegas band Wyld Country to play at a campaign event, then later admitted the band didn’t play at the event. Secretary of State Mary Herrera imposed more than $20,000 in fines and penalties on Block Jr. in October after reviewing several questionable and apparently illegal expenditures his campaign made using public funds.
Block Jr. had originally received about $60,000 in public financing.
Block Jr. narrowly won a competitive six-way race in the primary by less than 2,000 votes by beating among others, Española Mayor Joseph Maestas and Rio Arriba County Assessor Art Rodarte. Block then beat Green Party candidate Rick Lass in the general election.
A full story on the case will be in the April 16 issue of the SUN.