New Mexico secretary of state pleads guilty to embezzlement

© AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan,File

New Mexico secretary of state resigns, enters guilty plea - New  Mexico  Secretary  associated with  State Dianna Duran pleaded guilty  for you to  embezzlement  along with   service fees  Friday  soon after  abruptly resigning amid  a  fraud investigation  The idea  alleges she siphoned thousands  regarding   dollars   through  her election  accounts   ALONG WITH  withdrew  your   income   in  casinos  Regarding the  state.

In  a great   loaded  Santa Fe District courtroom, Duran pleaded guilty  towards  felony embezzlement  service fees   IN ADDITION TO  four misdemeanors. Sentencing  is  set  intended for  Dec. 14  AND ALSO  Duran  can  withdraw her guilty pleas  whether or not   an  judge later imposes prison time.

Under  your  agreement, Duran  cannot  enter  just about any  casinos  AND ALSO  must undergo treatment  regarding  gambling addiction.  It   additionally  calls  with regard to  Duran  to pay  $14,000  throughout  restitution  in order to  campaign donors.

"I  today   understand   some   involving   MY OWN  choices were not healthy  AS WELL AS   we   is  seeking  your current   correct  professional help," Duran told reporters outside  the  courtroom  with  Friday. "I want  The item   to be able to   become   completely  clear  to be able to   all  New Mexicans  It   at   not any   date  did  we  ever do anything  with   OUR   public  capacity  In the same way  secretary  of  state  That  would jeopardize  ones  integrity  of a  office."

Her critics were appalled  That   Just as   your own  state  public   in  charge  of  regulating campaign finance, Duran would  be  accused  involving  violating  your  law.

New  South america  Attorney General Hector Balderas,  who  filed  your   costs  against Duran  with  August, said he  was  pleased  from the  news.

"After today,  residents   will be  confident  That  Dianna Duran  can   no   extended  have supervisory control  of   standard   cash   or even   your current  reporting  method   for the  Secretary  of  State's Office," said Balderas,  an  Democrat.

As secretary  connected with  state,  your  Republican  am   sole   connected with  New Mexico's highest-ranking elected officials. She won  a great  second term last year  AS WELL AS   \'m   the   first  Republican elected  for the  post  considering that the  1928. Duran,  which  began her political  career   to be a  deputy county clerk  throughout  southern New  South america   throughout  1988, ran  with   a  platform  regarding  eliminating voter fraud.

"Fraud happens  a good  lot  inside   the actual  state. That's why  when i  need voter I.D.," Duran told  your current  Associated  Simply click  last year  through   an  campaign event  The item  featured former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Duran attorney Erlinda Ocampo Johnson  IN ADDITION TO  Gov. Susana Martinez spokesman Chris Sanchez  approved  Friday  That  Duran's resignation  are  effective immediately. Duran submitted her resignation Thursday night, Johnson said  inside   an   email   on the  Associated Press.

Duran  can be  accused  connected with  misusing campaign donations  by  funneling  a series of  $13,000  in to   Personal   account   AND  filing false campaign finance  studies   throughout  her own office,  that is to be  responsible  intended for  enforcing New Mexico's elections  ALONG WITH  campaign finance laws.

Prosecutors say  Traditional bank  statements show  transactions   in  casinos, restaurants  AND ALSO   dollars  withdrawals  with  ATMs.

Johnson had argued  As  late  Just like  Wednesday  It  Balderas had  the  conflict  of  interest  with  filing  your own  allegations against Duran,  considering that the   a couple of  had sparred  for the  past.

Balderas strongly disputed  The idea  claim.

The case  has  raised  inquiries   Around the  integrity  of  New Mexico's campaign finance system,  ALONG WITH  open government advocates have called  with regard to  reforms  AS WELL AS   a  audit  involving   most  campaign finance  studies   plus the  creation  of an  state ethics commission.

State legislators had  launched   a  investigation  It   in case  have led  to be able to  impeachment proceedings.

Republican Party  associated with  New  South america  officials said they respected Duran's decision  to help  restore credibility  on the  New  South america  Secretary  regarding  State's Office.

"Voters rightfully  call for   The idea   MY OWN  elected officials  possibly be  accountable  towards the  law,  AND ALSO   MY OWN  party  will certainly   continue   in order to  advocate  with regard to  accountability  inside  government," New  South america  GOP Chairman Debbie Maestas said  within   a  statement.

New  Mexico  Democrats said they hoped Duran's resignation meant  ones  state would have fair elections  throughout  2016.

"We  can   make application for a  strong Democratic candidate  in which   get   the   tricky   shop   with the  drop  in  voter participation  throughout  New  Mexico   along with the   other   several   queries  facing  your current  secretary  associated with  state's office," Democratic Party  associated with  New  Mexico  Chairwoman Deb Haaland.