The workplace of New Mexico protection legal professional Thomas Clear III was raided final week by the FBI. As reported by the Albuquerque Journal, it was a part of an ongoing federal investigation into the prosecution of DWI circumstances.
That investigation has additionally had different ramifications — a number of cops have been placed on go away and 150+ DWI circumstances have been dismissed.
Of the 152 pending DWI circumstances dismissed, 136, or almost 90%, have been filed by three Albuquerque cops, in accordance with court docket data. One officer was chargeable for 67 of the circumstances; one other had 41; and the third was listed because the arresting officer on 28.
The vast majority of the circumstances dismissed — 107 — have been filed in 2023, making up 10% of APD’s DWI misdemeanor circumstances for the yr. Eleven of the dismissed circumstances had been filed this yr.
District Legal professional Sam Bregman was not happy concerning the dismissals, calling them “a intestine punch,” however that “prosecutorial ethics require me to dismiss them.”
The identical day, the houses of no less than three assistant public defenders have been additionally searched, all in reference to the identical investigation.
APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos has stated “a number of” officers have been positioned on paid administrative go away “whereas the investigation continues.”
He stated APD had been working with the FBI “for the previous a number of months on an investigation involving members of the division.”
There have been no prices filed or arrests made in reference to the continued investigation.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Legislation, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Considering Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are one of the best, so please join together with her. Be at liberty to e-mail her with any suggestions, questions, or feedback and comply with her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.
