Lawmaker may have illegally wielded influence

From KOB-TV.com - Gadi Schwartz and Peter St. Cyr, 4 On Your Side - A KOB 4 On Your Side investigation into Representative Ray Begaye of Shiprock has uncovered Begaye using his influence as a legislator to ask judges for favorable treatment in a drunk driving case against his daughter. In a July 2012 letter on official state legislature letterhead Begaye asks a magistrate judge to release his daughter from jail for a DWI.

In another letter dated back in December of 2009 Begaye appears to try and justify a DWI by writing, "there were technical matters beyond her control that led to her arrest."
The letters also list Begaye's committee appointments including his membership on the powerful Appropriation and Finance Committee. That committee controls the budget for the state judiciary.
The letter appears to be in direct violation of a 1996 advisory opinion issued by a by a state ethics committee and the New Mexico Governmental Conduct Act.

According to the law, "a legislator or public officer or employee shall treat the legislator's or public officer's or employee's government position as a public trust. The legislator or public officer or employee shall use the powers and resources of public office only to advance the public interest and not to obtain personal benefits or pursue private interests." Read more

Lawmaker may have illegally wielded influence