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Thursday, April 20, 2006

Vigil Case Timeline


Journal Staff Report
      Sept. 16, 2005
    Vigil and Montoya arrested and indictment unsealed: 2 counts of extorting over $687,000
    Sept. 21, 2005
    Court unseals plea by former investment adviser Kent Nelson taken Sept. 14. Nelson pleads guilty to preindictment count of mail fraud from 1999 to March 2005 involving "payment of substantial sums of moneyu in order to corruptly influence the treasurer of the state of New Mexico to award securities work to the defendant." He also agrees to forfeit a condo unit in Mountain Village, San Miguel County, Colorado.
    Court unseals June 20, 2005 preindictment plea by Angelo Garcia to extortion of $354,125 from John Doe on Dec. 30, 2002, "induced by fear of economic loss and under color of official right." He agrees to cooperate.
    Sept. 23, 2005
    Vigil steps down from his $85,000-year job, with pay, until charges are resolved
    Oct. 7, 2005
    Albuquerque attorney Paul Kennedy is hired to collect evidence regarding possible impeachment of Vigil and draft articles of impeachment
    Oct. 12, 2005
    First superseding indictment against Vigil includes 21 counts of Hobbs act extortion violations and adds a forfeiture provision seeking $265,410.
    Oct. 18, 2005
    Vigil surrenders personnel authority and says he is considering resigning
    Oct. 26, 2005
    Vigil resigns from office
    Nov. 7, 2005
    Douglas Minge Brown appointed treasurer.
    Nov. 8, 2005
    Montoya pleads guilty to a single count of extortion and agrees to testify
    Nov. 9, 2005
    Second superseding indictment against Vigil charges 26 counts, adding conspiracy and money-laundering to Hobbs Act violations and forfeiture.
    Nov. 21, 2005
    New treasurer fires 5 employees in a personnel shakeup, including Vigil's sister-in-law Dolores C. Baca, a financial analyst, and assistant deputy treasurer Ann Marie Gallegos, married to Vigil's first cousin.