Several Albuquerque officers placed on leave during FBI investigation

FBI agents raided the homes of at least three Albuquerque police officers in an investigation that led the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office to dismiss more than 100 DWI cases.

Albuquerque Police Department spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said “several” officers have been placed on paid administrative leave “while the investigation continues.”

He said APD had been working with the FBI “for the past several months on an investigation involving members of the department.”

“Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, some officers have been placed on administrative leave, and others will be temporarily reassigned within the department,” Gallegos said late Thursday. “APD leadership is working closely with the FBI to ensure a complete and thorough investigation can be completed.”

Gallegos would not say the exact number of officers placed on leave, what the investigation was about or provide any other details.

On Thursday, FBI agents executed search warrants on at least three homes as part of a public corruption investigation into the prosecution of DWI cases in Albuquerque.

The investigation focuses on the conduct of several APD officers and their interaction with staff of a local law firm. No one had been arrested or charged as of Thursday evening.

Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Nancy Laflin said they dismissed 144 DWI cases on Thursday.

“We did this in deference to an ongoing federal investigation,” she said in a statement. “Please refer any and all inquiries to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

A spokesperson from the U.S. Attorney’s Office did not return requests for comment.

New Mexico Chief Public Defender Ben Baur said the Law Offices of the Public Defender received the list of DWI case dismissals Thursday afternoon.

“We immediately began identifying which clients are impacted and looking into whether there are other cases that may need additional scrutiny,” Baur said.

Police Union President Shaun Willoughby said he was in the dark on the matter.

“I don’t know the premise of the investigation. I don’t know any details of the investigation. I don’t even know the names of the officers placed on leave,” he said.