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Thursday, May 14, 2009
Roberta Vigil Found Guilty in West Las Vegas Party Case
By Raam Wong
Journal Staff Writer
Roberta Vigil today was found guilty of conspiracy and fraud over $2,500 in connection with her lavish spending at the West Las Vegas School District.
The district's former bilingual coordinator faces up to four-and-a-half years imprisonment, prosecutors said following the verdict at Santa Fe District Court.
Almost immediately after the verdict was read, Vigil's attorney, Sam Bregman, motioned to have the conviction tossed, arguing no reasonable jury" could have reached that verdict. Bregman's motion was along the lines as a similar argument that led the judge in the case
earlier this week to dismiss charges against former longtime school board member Ralph Garcia, who was a co-defendant.
Bregman said his motion, which he'll file in writing in coming days, will also object to a last-minute change to the jury instructions that allowed Vigil to be convicted of the third-degree charge of fraud over
$2,500, instead of second-degree fraud over $20,000. Vigil had originally been indicted on the latter, more serious charge, which arguably would have been harder to prove.
Vigil was accused of conspiring to misspend state and federal funds on adults-only parties that including performances by New Mexico legend Al Hurricane, sports equipment and other items.
Vigil is married to state Rep. Richard Vigil, D-Ribera. The lawmaker is the brother of Robert Vigil, the former state treasurer, who is in prison after being convicted of attempted extortion.
Richard Vigil sat behind his wife in court Thursday during the final moments of the trial. Roberta Vigil's head dropped slightly as the guilty verdict was read.
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