Four Indicted for Government Corruption in New Mexico

Current and Former Members of W. Las Vegas Schools

June 22, 2007 -- (SANTA FE, NM)— New Mexico Attorney General Gary King today filed grand jury indictments against Roberta Vigil, Ralph Garcia, Joe Baca and Beverly Ortega on government corruption charges. All have ties to the West Las Vegas School District.

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The Attorney General’s Office, State Police and Public Education Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictments. The charges stem from alleged fraudulent spending of federal Title III money along with state funds specifically appropriated for the Bilingual Program at the West Las Vegas School District.

“Transparency and honesty in government are vital components in the public’s trust of its leaders,” says Attorney General King. “We believe today’s indictments are an important step toward restoring that confidence.”

Defendants Vigil, Garcia and Baca are charged with Fraud (2nd degree felony), Misuse of Public Money (4th degree felony), Prohibited Sales by School Board Members (4th degree felony) and Conspiracy (3rd degree felony). In addition, Roberta Vigil is charged with Tampering with Public Records (4th degree felony) and Procurement Code violation (misdemeanor). Defendant Ortega is charged with Conspiracy (3rd degree felony).

Vigil is formerly the Director of Bilingual Education for the district. Garcia is a current school board member. Baca, until recently, was Superintendent of Schools, and Ortega was an assistant to Vigil.

Source: New Mexico Attorney General