LAS VEGAS, N.M. – A trial started this week for a former mayor in New Mexico after she was accused of using her position to give her then-boyfriend city contracts in exchange for kickbacks.
Fourth Judicial District Judge Abigail Aragon is presiding over the trial of former Las Vegas Mayor Tonita Gurule-Giron, which is expected to last until Friday in Las Vegas, about 100 miles northeast of Albuquerque.
Gurule-Giron, 63, pleaded not guilty last year to multiple criminal charges including engaging in an official act for personal financial gain, soliciting or receiving an illegal kickback, conspiracy to commit making or permitting a false public voucher and demanding or receiving a bribe by a public officer or employee.
A criminal complaint claimed Gurule-Giron pressured city employees to give contracts to her boyfriend’s construction company without going through the proper process. The complaint also alleged that the invoices were made out in amounts that exceeded the company’s original bid without additional approval.
Charges were filed in December 2019. The case was delayed several times because of the coronavirus pandemic and for other reasons.
Defense attorney JoHanna C. Cox argued in her opening statement that Gurule-Giron was innocent, saying the only thing she did wrong was have a bad relationship with her boyfriend.
“A single woman dating a single man is not a crime in New Mexico, rather the Attorney General is going to put their tumultuous relationship on trial for you,” Cox said. “You’re going to hear that it was not the best relationship. Even not having the best relationship, ladies and gentlemen, is not a crime in New Mexico.”
Assistant Attorney General Andrew Coffing said the prosecution plans to prove Gurule-Giron used her position, information and influence to unlawfully sway the bidding process to help her boyfriend and that she received financial benefits in exchange.
“The types of gifts that we’re talking about are going to seem occasionally like everyday items. It’s roses, it’s an expensive dinner, it’s a phone, it’s occasionally help with utilities,” Coffing said. “These are all items that you might consider would be part of a normal dating relationship.”
The boyfriend, Marvin Salazar, 53, faces multiple charges including offering or paying an illegal kickback and making or permitting a false public voucher. A trial has yet to be scheduled, and Salazar's attorney, Alan Maestas, declined to comment about the case.
