Man who made secret recording of Gov’s chief of staff comes forth

Chief of Staff Keith Gardner

From Capitol Report New Mexico - t’s been a big question surrounding the secretly recorded conversation between Gov. Susana Martinez’ chief of staff, Keith Gardner, and Brian Powell: What kind of friend records a discussion with another friend without letting them know? On Friday (Sept. 7), Albuquerque attorney and prominent New Mexico Democrat Sam Bregman sent Capitol Report New Mexico a signed statement from Powell, who writes that the recording was made back in October of 2011 and that he made it because Powell thought Gardner “might be motivated to prevent crucial testimony” in a preliminary hearing involving a sexual abuse case involving Powell’s daughter. Powell doesn’t offer why Gardner would want to do that. So what is Powell’s relationship to Bregman? On Thursday afternoon, Capitol Report New Mexico briefly talked to Bregman at his law office in downtown Albuquerque and Bregman confirmed that Powell is a client. When asked about talk that Powell may be pursuing a lawsuit against the state and employing Bregman on his behalf, Bregman said, “I’m not going to comment about what’s been discussed with a client.” Read more

Man who made secret recording of Gov’s chief of staff comes forth