Martinez Office Purchases Draw Scrutiny

Susana Martinez

The office of Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez bought more than $60,000 in office supplies without a contract or competitive bidding process from a company owned by one of Martinez’s then-top deputies and a political ally, the Albuquerque Journal is reporting. A former state auditor now questions whether state law was followed in the purchases, which were made from 2003 to 2005, according to the paper. Martinez, who is the Republican nominee for governor, told the paper that the arrangement was legal and had approval from two state agencies. In addition, it saved the taxpayers money, Martinez is quoted as saying. She would do it all over again as governor, “so long as there was transparency in that transaction” and a cost savings was the result, Martinez told the paper. Read more here:

Martinez Office Purchases Draw Scrutiny