Carlos McMahon

Complaint: Watchdog P.I. committed fraud, used intimidation

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A self-proclaimed government watchdog could have his private investigator’s license revoked, depending on what a governing board could decide next month. Another private investigator filed an official complaint with the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD) last month against Carlos McMahon that alleged he obtained his private investigator license fraudulently and abused his position as an investigator. McMahon has been in and out of the news since he filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center, his former place of employment, in 2010. At that time his name was Carlos Villanueva. He changed his last name to McMahon this June.

Benny Shendo

New progressive group pushes in legislative races

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A new progressive group is stepping into two legislative races in districts with large Native American populations. The Working Families Party announced support for two incumbents: Representative Wonda Johnson and Senator Benny Shendo. Both Democrats are facing a challenge in Tuesday’s primary against more conservative opponents. The organization is airing radio ads supporting the candidates. Former State Rep. Stephanie Maez told NM Political Report the Working Families Party chose to support Johnson and Shendo because of their past support for “progressive policy positions.”

She also said that the organization would add more endorsements for the general election.

Quick Reads

Clerk asks prosecutor to review Lechuga-Tena voting record

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A newly selected New Mexico Representative may be under legal scrutiny even before she is officially sworn in. After admitting to voting before she was a U.S. citizen, Idalia Lechuga-Tena’s voting history appears to be under review by prosecutors in Bernalillo County. Earlier this week the Bernalillo County Commission voted in favor of appointing Lechuga-Tena to the New Mexico House of Representatives. Lechuga-Tena will be the second person appointed to the seat since the last election. The Bernalillo County Commission chose Stephanie Maez to replace Mimi Stewart last year.

House District 21

Here’s who wants to fill the vacancy in House District 21

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Bernalillo County Commissioners will decide who will replace Stephanie Maez in House District 21. The commission is expected to make a decision Tuesday night, according to the agenda for Tuesday night’s meeting. Maez resigned from the position in October. Bernalillo County provided NM Political Report with the six applications for the position. Update: The Bernalillo County Commission voted to appoint Lechuga-Tena during Tuesday night’s meeting. Idalia Lechuga-Tena could be the most high profile, and controversial, of those seeking the position.

News

Maez leaving House to focus on family

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Rep. Stephanie Maez is giving up her seat in the Legislature to concentrate on the trial of her son, who is facing murder charges. Maez’s resignation will be effective November 5, although she said she would tender her resignation letter to the Secretary of State’s office today. The Albuquerque Journal first reported the news of Maez’s pending resignation. New Mexico Political Report reached out to Maez but was unable to contact her. She told the Journal the reason for her resignation was to focus on her family. We will add any response from Maez to this story.

media ethics

When pulling a story from your website doesn’t mean you retract it

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KOB-TV is backing off of a controversial story that appeared on the same day news broke that a suspect charged with murder is the son of a New Mexico state representative. Well, kind of. The story, titled “Credibility of State Rep. Stephanie Maez in question,” quoted extensively from an unnamed woman who told the TV station Donovan Maez had been homeless since age 11. Stephanie Maez is the mother of Donovan. Donovan, 18, was arrested on multiple charges Friday evening for the late June killing of Jaydon Chavez-Silver.

Albuquerque Police Department

Son of state representative arrested in killing of teen

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The son of a state representative from Albuquerque was arrested this weekend for the fatal shooting of a Manzano High School student. Donovan Maez, the 18-year-old son of state Rep. Stephanie Maez, D-Albuquerque, was charged with an open count of murder and other charges in the late June killing of Jaydon Chavez-Silver. Albuquerque police are looking to arrest others in connection to the killing, according to a press release from Officer Simon Drobik, a spokesman with the department. Police say that Donovan Maez and his friends were kicked out of a party at a house near Lomas and Tramway house after a “large fight” that occurred weeks before the fatal shooting. The complaint says he and friends returned on June 26 and fired a gun from a car into the kitchen window during a party.

2015 Legislative Session

Legislator wants apology from Majority Leader

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A lawmaker is demanding an apology from the House Majority Leader for allegedly passing around a picture with offensive writing. Rep. Stephanie Maez, D-Albuquerque, said she was told by another member of her caucus that Majority Floor Leader Nate Gentry had a printed picture of her with “xoxo” and “thanks for your vote Paul” written on it and was sharing it in the House Judiciary Committee. Maez told New Mexico Political Report that a member of the committee, who did not want to be named, told her of the picture that Gentry was passing around during a hearing. She said she was mainly upset because she doesn’t think the same thing would have happened to a male member of the legislature. “Representative Nate Gentry has shown blatant disrespect to me, to this institution, and to all women. His conduct is inappropriate, offensive, and should not be permitted in the New Mexico Legislature,” Maez said in a written statement.

Featured

House Dems walk out in protest over debate on bill

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A debate on the House floor ended with the entire Democratic caucus walking out in protest on Tuesday night. After more than three hours of debate, mostly by Democrats, an amendment was introduced by a Republican. Following the introduction of the amendment, House Majority Leader Nate Gentry, R-Albuquerque, moved to close debate. Debate can be stopped by a majority vote after three hours on a bill according to House rules. Democrats said they were not given the proper amount of time to debate the new amendment and wanted an additional three hours on each proposed change to the bill.

Community Voices

House Dems Ready to Serve NM | Rep. Stephanie Maez

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[box type=”info” style=”rounded”]THIS PIECE is signed by Democratic Representatives: Rep. Stephanie Maez, Albuquerque; Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, Church Rock; Rep. G. Andres Romero, Rep. Javier Martinez, Rep. Pat Ruiloba and Rep. Debbie Armstrong, Albuquerque; Rep. Bealquin Gomez, La Mesa; and Rep. Matthew McQueen, Santa Fe.[/box]

As newly-elected House Democrats, we are working to ensure New Mexicans have the security they need to get a quality education, pay their bills, and provide for their families. When New Mexicans work hard and play by the rules, they deserve to have the opportunity to succeed. We understand this and will fight to make sure New Mexican families have the tools they need to thrive. That’s why we’re working to create better paying jobs, investing in our children’s education, helping our young people go to college, and making sure that hard work is rewarded. While we expect challenges over the next 60 days, we are steadfast in our commitment to ensure that New Mexico’s families have the tools they need to succeed.