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Wednesday, October 26, 2005
N.M. Treasurer Vigil Resigns As Impeachment Looms
By Barry Massey/
Associated Press
SANTA FE — New Mexico's indicted state treasurer resigned Wednesday as lawmakers began considering whether he should be impeached.
Robert Vigil's resignation came more than a month after he was arrested and charged with extortion in a federal investigation into an alleged kickback scheme involving state investments.
Vigil announced his resignation, effective immediately, in a letter to Gov. Bill Richardson and Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron.
"I have committed no crime and the allegation made by the federal government are false,'' Vigil said in the letter. "I look forward to the day when a jury will hear all of the evidence and I will have the opportunity to clear my name.''
Vigil, a Democrat, was elected to a four-year term as treasurer in November 2002 and took office in 2003.
Vigil has pleaded not guilty to 21 felony charges of extortion in what federal prosecutors allege was a kickback scheme involving state investments. A federal court trial in the pending criminal prosecution isn't expected to begin until next spring at the earliest.
Vigil's resignation was announced shortly after a bipartisan House subcommittee wrapped up a public meeting in which it spent five hours reviewing evidence gathered in the impeachment case against Vigil.
Among the most dramatic evidence were two video tapes that showed Vigil accepting cash payments — nearly $12,000 — from an investment adviser in two different meetings earlier this year. The adviser secretly recorded the meetings as part of a deal in which he's cooperating with proseuctors.
The House was planning to meet Friday and Saturday for a possible vote on whether to impeach Vigil.
Vigil complained in the resignation letter that the impeachment process was unfair, "saying that "my ability to defend myself and cross examine my accusers is nonexistent.''
"Therefore, it is unlikely that an impeachment decision would be based on a complete and fair record but would rather be based on the politics of the day,'' Vigil said.
Under state law, the governor has the power to appoint a replacement for the treasurer.