What Happens In Vegas Doesn't Always Stay In Vegas
They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Well, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, that is not the case.
According to the local newspaper, Mayor Tonita Gurule-Giron was charged with six felonies in December 2019 in connection to an ongoing investigation into allegations of bid-rigging, fraud and abuse of power.
According to the local newspaper, Mayor Tonita Gurule-Giron was charged with six felonies in December 2019 in connection to an ongoing investigation into allegations of bid-rigging, fraud and abuse of power.
Gurule-Giron faces felony charges of official acts for personal financial interest, ethical principles of public service, soliciting or receiving illegal kickbacks, conspiracy to commit making or permitting false public voucher, unlawful interest in a public contract and demanding or receiving bribe by public officer or public employee.
On January 6, of this year, she faced her first court hearing in District Court where she officially pled not guilty to the charges.
One of the terms of her bail in the criminal case was to avoid all contact with potential witnesses in the criminal investigation, putting her ability to attend City Council meetings into question. Several current city councilors and City Hall employees are mentioned throughout the 22-page criminal complaint filed against Gurule-Giron.
Then on January 8, Mayor Pro-Tempore Vince Howell read a resignation letter from Gurule-Giron at the beginning of Wednesday's City Council work session.
On January 6, of this year, she faced her first court hearing in District Court where she officially pled not guilty to the charges.
One of the terms of her bail in the criminal case was to avoid all contact with potential witnesses in the criminal investigation, putting her ability to attend City Council meetings into question. Several current city councilors and City Hall employees are mentioned throughout the 22-page criminal complaint filed against Gurule-Giron.
Then on January 8, Mayor Pro-Tempore Vince Howell read a resignation letter from Gurule-Giron at the beginning of Wednesday's City Council work session.
“After much deliberation, I have decided to resign from my position of Mayor of the City of Las Vegas,” Gurule-Giron's letter began.
In June of last year, her house was raided along with her boyfriend Martin Salazar’s.
Investigators through the raid obtained phone calls, text messages, emails, and iCloud storage.
According to investigators, Gurule-Giron helped her boyfriend receive contracts from the city.
In the criminal complaint which was filed by a former close friend of Gurule-Giron told the investigators that Gurule-Giron would receive payments from Salazar in the form of money for assisting Salazar with receiving city contracts.
Investigators say Gurule-Guron violated code by pressuring a city employee to tell her cost of city projects. She is quoted as saying, “I am the Chief Operating Executive Officer of the city and I was elected to know everything and I will know everything.”
One of the contracts initially slated at $9,000 was inflated to more than $19,000. Investigators say the cost was unnecessarily fabricated by Gurule-Giron.
Apparently, she would also use her daughter’s email address to stay under the radar and she ended up firing an employee for not listening to her demands which were code violations.
The city is known for it’s rich history and atmosphere. Could this scandal overshadow that?
Comments
The scripture quote of "All will be revealed" is a reminder..
NOTHING is hidden from Sacred Eyes......not even the slimy underbelly of Las Vegas!
Great article!
~Moon