Gentry and Munoz Introduce Anti-Corruption Bill

Nate Gentry

Santa Fe – Today Representative Gentry (R-30) and Senator George Munoz (D-4) introduced anti-corruption legislation that increases possible jail time for public servants who engage in corruption; bars persons convicted of public corruption from lobbying and entering into state contracts; and provides for the forfeiture of public pension benefits for corrupt officials (HB111).

The bill has been endorsed by Governor Martinez and was touted during her state of the state speech as one of the key components of her fight against corruption.

George Munoz

“The rash of recent corruption scandals demonstrates that we are not getting through to all of our public officials. This legislation will go a long way towards addressing this very serious problem. I appreciate Senator Munoz’s willingness to work with me on this important piece of legislation,” Representative Gentry said.

“We have an obligation to the people we serve to ensure public officers maintain the highest integrity. Should government officials violate the public trust, those officials should face consequences. This legislation makes the law crystal clear that public officials will be held accountable their actions,” concluded Munoz.
On January 14, 2012, Rep. Gentry wrote Speaker Ben Lujan urging speedy consideration of this legislation. During the 2011 regular session, the same bill passed the House of Representatives unanimously (66-0) but later died on the senate floor after being approved by the Senate Public Affairs Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Gentry and Munoz Introduce Anti-Corruption Bill