Clovis New Mexico Newspaper

Judge faces new charge

LAS CRUCES - A Las Cruces judge already under indictment for allegations of bribery has been charged with an additional crime: violating the "ethical principles of public service" law, a misdemeanor.

New Mexico State Police on Thursday seized a computer from state District Court Judge Michael Murphy's chambers and began a two-day process of copying hard drives belonging to Las Cruces businessman Edgar Lopez, whom Murphy is alleged to have given envelopes of cash, State Police Capt. Ryan Suggs confirmed.

In both searches, officers were looking for "electronic communications" and records, Suggs said Friday.

Murphy has pleaded "not guilty" to all charges.

In a prepared statement on the new charge Friday, his attorney Michael Stout of Las Cruces, writes: "Judge Murphy is, like all New Mexico judges, a person of high ethics and great integrity and was quite properly elected to his position. He takes seriously the confidence placed in him by the people and he has always discharged his responsibilities of public service in a responsible manner. Judge Murphy has certainly committed no crime of any kind - misdemeanor or felony. One might question the reason that an untrue misdemeanor charge is added to an already unjustified indictment, but Judge Murphy is innocent and looks forward to again serving the people."

Thursday afternoon's resulting criminal complaint lays out a narrative describing how, from 2007 to 2011, Murphy allegedly told members of the legal community that anyone seeking a judgeship needed to deliver envelopes of cash weekly to Lopez, 60, who was "close friends with and would hand-deliver the envelopes to," then-Gov. Bill Richardson, the complaint states. Lopez, the former secretary of Richardson's finance committee for southern New Mexico during two elections, "was not in any position to receive any payment, i.e. a political contribution, for any political candidate or organization whatsoever," the complaint states. Lopez has not been charged with any crime.

"This is so absurd that - it's so absurd," Lopez said when reached for comment about the latest charge Friday. When asked if he was referring to the allegation about receiving money in envelopes, he responded, "Yeah. Yeah. Come on. I mean, everybody - come on, people, $400 a week? The times I got to visit with the governor were so rare."

Lopez was unavailable for further comment Friday.

Clovis woman among governor's appointments ... - Clovis News Journal

SANTA FE – Governor Susana Martinez announced today that she has made four appointments to the New Mexico Partnership.

Tom Hutchinson of Las Cruces is currently the president of La Posta Group, the vice-president of MCBE Partners, and chairman of the board for Citizens Bank of Las Cruces. He served as a commanding officer in the U.S.

Naval Reserves from 1986 to 2002. Hutchinson serves as a board member for the New Mexico Restaurant Association, the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, the Las Cruces Forum, the GLCCC Government Affairs Issues Committee, Groundwork Dona Ana, and is a Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer. Hutchinson received a B.S. in Operations Analysis/General Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and received a M.S. in Systems Analysis and Management from George Washington University.

Don Power of Albuquerque is the president and CEO of Jaynes Corporation. Power began at Jaynes Corporation in 1969 as a member of Laborer’s Local #16, working his way up from formsetter, laborer, and concrete estimator, to vice-president, and finally president. He is a member of Albuquerque Economic Development, American Marketing Association, Economic Forum, Executive Growth Council, and National Association of Industrial and Office Parks. Power holds a B.A. in History and Geology from theUniversity of New Mexico and an E.M.B.A. from the University of New Mexico, Anderson School of Management.

Lisa Hardison of Hobbs is the president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Lea County. Prior to her current role, Hardison served as the Dean of Extended Learning at New Mexico Junior College. She is a member of the Eastern New Mexico Development Association, the Association of Commerce and Industry, New Mexico Idea, New Mexico Rural Forum and International Economic Development Council. Hardison holds a B.S. from Lubbock Christian University, as well as a M.A. and a Doctor of Education in Education Administration/Community College Leadership from New Mexico State University.

Lisa Dunagan of Clovis is the vice-president of First Community Bank, a subsidiary of U.S. Bank. Prior to this, Dunagan was the senior vice-president of Wells Fargo Bank for the surrounding Clovis area. She is currently the Clovis MainStreet board president and serves on the Clovis/Curry County Chamber board of directors. Dunagan holds an associates degree in business administration from the Clovis Community College and received a graduate degree in banking from the University of Colorado- Boulder.

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