GOP official upset over Aragon fiesta, NM
By TIM KORTE - Associated Press Writer - Associated Press
Thursday, June 04, 2009
GOP official upset over Aragon fiesta, NM
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A prominent New Mexico Republican is complaining
about a sendoff party for Manny Aragon, a former Democratic legislative
leader who reports to federal prison next week.
Pat Rogers, a New Mexico member of the Republican National Committee, said
it was inappropriate to throw a party for Aragon, who faces a 5½-year
prison term after pleading guilty in an Albuquerque courthouse fraud
scandal.
"It makes me sick," Rogers, an Albuquerque attorney, said Thursday. "I
can't believe there are people who are so stupid, brazen or whatever ...
who would go to a party for a person who epitomizes corruption."
Reporters were not allowed into Wednesday night's party at a restaurant in
Albuquerque's Old Town because it was a private event.
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Ray Twohig, Aragon's attorney, said he couldn't provide an accurate crowd
estimate because many of the invited guests came and went but "probably 15
to 20 tables" were filled at any given time.
"It wasn't a huge crowd," Twohig said.
Aragon was accused of pocketing $650,000 in a scheme with four other people
to bilk the state out of $4.2 million during construction of the Bernalillo
County Metropolitan Courthouse.
The former state Senate president, one of the most influential politicians
of his era, pleaded guilty in October to three felony counts of conspiracy
and mail fraud. His prison term begins June 10.
"Manny's going away for a good long time," Twohig said. "Some friends
wanted to wish him well and try to brighten his spirits as he left."
Asked to describe Aragon's attitude as he prepares to enter federal prison,
Twohig replied, "Manny can handle it."
Among those attending the party: former state Supreme Court Chief Justice
Gene Franchini and former Albuquerque state Sen. Les Houston, who declined
to discuss the event when contacted by The Associated Press.
"They wanted to compliment him on what he had accomplished," Twohig said.
"He knows he's got friends. How harmful is that?"
Rogers said it was wrong to celebrate Aragon's legacy, noting that the
guilty plea came after convictions of two former state treasurers in a
separate federal corruption prosecution and a pending federal probe of
pay-to-play allegations involving Gov. Bill Richardson's administration.
Rogers worried there's apparently "a level of acceptance for this stuff"
among some New Mexico civic and political leaders.
"I'm stunned that with the bribes, the corruption, all the stuff that's
going on, it's incredible that so many people would turn out at a party for
a guy who's going to prison," Rogers said. |