(Correction: A previous version of this article stated John Ricci have been indicted. The grand jury found probable cause to indict them.)
Welcome to Rio Arriba County, land of corruption, nepotism, cronyism, and a trash system that is just that — trash.
A grand jury empaneled to investigate the North Central Solid Waste Authority has issued a report that is beyond withering and speaks to the ills that pervade politics at all levels in Rio Arriba and Espanola. In short, the report indicates massive corruption at the authority.
The trash authority fell one sin short of Rio Arriba’s version of the Seven Deadly Sins. Only six were studied and all six were found to have merit for suggested immediate charges and punishment and perhaps further investigation.
The grand jury inidcedt County Board Chairman Alex Naranjo and former Rio Arriba county manager Tomas Campos for perjury and malfeasance. The grand jury found probable cause to indict Former Española city councilor John Ricci for perjury and malfeasance as well.
It has recommended several others connected to the authority be investigated. That group includes former trash authority general managers, Janet Saucedo and Peter Fuller.
“I really don’t understand what’s happening in reading the article in the [Santa Fe New Mexican]. It’s saying that I should have known there’s fraud. I go to one meeting a month. How should I know? To be truthful, I don’t know anything about what’s going on,” Naranjo said during an interview with the Rio Grande SUN July 21.
The report indicates the authority is financially broke, and the grand jury criticized the authority’s failure to take responsibility for its financial issues.
According to the grand jury investigation, Naranjo said, “Rio Arriba County won’t allow…NCSWA to go under”
“This assumption appears to embolden unchecked, anything-goes behavior by NCSWA management and Board members because the County will always rescue the Authority financially,” the investigation stated.
Below is a summary of what the grand jury investigated and uncovered.
“This Grand Jury for Special Inquiry (referred to as Special Grand Jury throughout this report) was impaneled in April 2023 in response to a 2019 citizen petition 01 alleging numerous illegal practices by the North Central Solid Waste Authority (NCSWA, the Authority), including fake billing for services not rendered,malfeasance, unlawfulness of liens, misappropriation of funds, and fraud. TheSpecial Grand Jury’s investigation reveals longstanding mismanagement andnumerous violations, including but not limited to the charges listed above. The Special Grand Jury concludes that there is probable cause for indictment of multiple individuals representing NCSWA as well as of NCSWA as an entity.”
The grand jury probe is the result of a citizens’ petition submitted to the courts in June 2019 by Antonio DeVargas, the La Madera resident and longtime activist who’s fighting the authority over a lien on his home. Hundreds of Rio Arriba County residents signed DeVargas’ petition seeking the special inquiry into the North Central Solid Waste Authority, as well as Rio Arriba County.
The grand jury’s empanelment had been delayed more than three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities said. The waste authority serves residents throughout nearly 5,900 square miles of Rio Arriba County.
The grand jury has recommended all current members of the board be replaced by members that have experience in waste management, accounting and operations.
Several former members, such as Lucia Sanchez and James Martinez, may also be investigated per recommendation of the grand jury.
Lucia Sanchez, who served as county manager until she was fired in February, said she has no comment at this time. She also served on the authority board until she was replaced by current Rio Arriba County Manager Jeremy Maestas after she was fired.
James Martinez, a former board member, previously served as a Rio Arriba County Commissioner. He was replaced on the solid waste authority board by Naranjo.
The report recommends the State’s Attorney General to assume responsibility for operation of the authority.
The grand jury essentially accuses the authority of stealing and misusing taxpayer money, as well as the basic problem of not picking up trash.
One of the more egregious accusations is that the authority falsely and illegally placed liens on local residents’ properties. The grand jury requests all those liens be lifted.
Some residents were billed for trash pick-up they never ordered.
Money, perhaps millions of dollars, is reported missing and thousands and thousands of dollars were spent by the authority without proper authorization.
The 22-page report is voluminous and filled with detail that the SUN intends to investigate as it continues to study the report and dig for more facts. The newspaper has announced that it welcomes input and leads from the public.
It should be noted that a trash authority worker was killed on the job a year ago.The SUN most recently reported on the death July 5.
This is a developing story which will be frequently updated at the Rio Grande Sun website at riograndesun.com.