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June 3 First News: In Ironic Twist, Disgraced Former Sheriff Fights Law He Pushed For, Wins (Listen)

  

June 3 First News: In Ironic Twist, Disgraced Former Sheriff Fights Law He Pushed For, Wins (Listen)

Disgraced former Santa Fe county sheriff Greg Solano, who had his car seized under a DWI law fought that law and won. KOAT-TV reports that last year, Solano’s daughter slammed his BMW into a brick wall while driving drunk. Since it was her second arrest, the city took the car even though it didn’t belong to her. So, he took the city to court and has now gotten his car back. Ironically, Solano pushed for a similar DWI seizure law when he was sheriff, but now feels they’re unfair.

A federal judge has approved an agreement between the U.S. Department of Justice and Albuquerque to overhaul use of force by the New Mexico city's police department. The agreement approved Tuesday by District Judge Robert Brack was negotiated amid allegations of excessive force by police officers, including more than 40 shootings involving officers since 2010. According to a Justice Department report, officers too frequently used deadly force on people who posed a minimal threat and used a higher level of force too often on those with mental illness. A police union objected to aspects of the agreement, but Brack said it "lays a thoughtful foundation for building systemic reform" in the Police Department. He ordered annual hearings on progress in implementing the agreement.

A jury's ruling that an Albuquerque Police officer used excessive force includes 200-thousand dollars’ in compensatory damages for physical and psychological injuries. The Albuquerque Journal reports Jerry Rodriguez filed his lawsuit over a 2010 incident with police that took place a month after they questioned him about a homicide. Rodriguez's truck looked like the vehicle that was involved in the crime, leading police to question him. He says he thought he was being carjacked when officers, who never identified themselves, pulled him to the ground. Four Albuquerque police officers were named in the lawsuit, and Russell Perea was the only one found to have used excessive force. The next phase of the trial starts in two weeks and will focus on municipal liability.

State officials say 16 schools across New Mexico are in such bad shape they need to be torn down. Public School Capital Outlay Council Chair David Abbey told lawmakers on Tuesday that schools are being phased out or being combined with other schools to save cost. Abbey unveiled to members of the Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force a list of the top 50 schools with construction needs. Abbey also told lawmakers that the Public School Capital Outlay Council could be facing financial challenges in the future due to the volatile oil and gas market. In addition, he said there are more needed projects than available funding. The state funds public school capital via bonds on severance tax revenue levied upon the extraction of oil and natural gas.

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas says four employees of a defunct Carlsbad mental health center are facing Medicaid fraud charges after a statewide investigation. Balderas announced Tuesday that he has filed criminal complaints against Michael Stoll, Noel Clark, DarrillWoodfield and John Bain — all former top personnel at Carlsbad Mental Health Center. Each were charged with eight counts of Medicaid fraud under the Medicaid Fraud Act, one count of conspiracy and one count of fraud involving non-Medicaid funds. None of those charged

A wildfire burning near Silver City in southwestern New Mexico continues to grow but remains relatively small. The federal Bureau of Land Management said Tuesday that the fire has grown to 100 acres. That's up from eight acres as of Monday. The fire is located on Treasure Mountain on BLM land approximately six miles northwest of Silver City, primarily grass and pinyon juniper. BLM spokeswoman Punky Moore says there are homes and subdivisions in the vicinity but that no structures are currently threatened and that crews have stopped the fire's forward advance. The fire was 5 percent contained as of Tuesday, when 70 personnel were assigned to it, up from 30 on Monday.

Santa Fe Weather: Sunny today with the high topping out at 83. Tonight: Mostly clear with the overnight low, 53. Tomorrow: Mostly sunny with the high 82.