Grand Jury Probing Bribe Allegations

Bill Richardson

NMPolitics - NMPolitics.net is reporting that a Las Cruces Grand jury will consider allegations that Mike Murphy paid a bribe in exchange for Bill Richardson naming him to the bench, and that he may have solicited bribes for Richardson from other judicial applicants. Third Judicial District Judge Mike Murphy has been notified that a grand jury meeting next week may charge him with paying a bribe in exchange for then-Gov. Bill Richardson appointing him to the bench in 2006. The grand jury is scheduled to meet Tuesday in Las Cruces to consider charges against Murphy, a source with knowledge of the case confirmed. In addition to the allegation that he paid a bribe for his appointment, investigators have been looking into allegations that Murphy may have solicited bribes for Richardson from applicants for other judgeships. The bribe or bribes were allegedly paid as political contributions, the source said. No one besides Murphy, including Richardson, has received notification that they may be indicted, the source said. The investigation is ongoing. Murphy said he could not comment on the situation. “I can’t discuss that at all Heath, and one better be careful about that. Those are sequestered, sealed proceedings,” he said. “I’m not either confirming or denying that.” Richardson’s executive assistant had not gotten back to NMPolitics.net with comment by the time this story was published. Read full story at NMPolitics.net.

Grand Jury Probing Bribe Allegations