NMSEC News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico State Ethics Commission has reached settlement agreements with Deming City Councilors Irma Rodriguez and Joe “Butter” Milo, with related compliance obligations involving Deming City Manager Aaron Sera, resolving alleged violations of the Governmental Conduct Act.
The Commission alleged that Councilor Rodriguez failed to disclose her ownership interest in Triadic Enterprises when the City of Deming contracted with the business, in violation of Section 10-16-7(B) of the Act. To resolve the matter, Councilor Rodriguez verbally agreed to pay a $500 civil fine and to work with the City of Deming to ensure that her ownership interest is publicly disclosed on the city’s website.
In a similar but separate matter, the Commission alleged that Councilor Milo failed to disclose his ownership interest in J&J Printing, Inc. when the City contracted with the business, also in violation of Section 10-16-7(B) of the Act. The Commission further alleged that Councilor Milo failed to recuse himself from a vote affecting the Rio Mimbres Corporation, a corporation in which he and his spouse owned stock, in violation of Section 10-16-4(B) of the Act. To resolve these allegations, Councilor Milo agreed to: (1) renounce all interests in Rio Mimbres Corporation, along with his spouse; (2) disclose his ownership of J&J Printing, Inc. on the City of Deming’s website; and (3) pay remit $200 to the State of New Mexico.
Finally, in connection with the Commission’s review of Rio Mimbres Corporation, City Manager Aaron Sera and his spouse agreed to renounce their interests in the corporation to avoid any alleged unlawful benefit from its sale to the City of Deming, which Mr. Sera was empowered to negotiate, also in violation of Section 10-16-4(B) of the Act. Mr. Sera resolved the matter without the need for a formal settlement agreement.
“These resolutions reflect not only the Commission’s work, but also the good-faith efforts of these officials to come into full compliance with state ethics laws,” said Jeremy Farris, Executive Director of the State Ethics Commission. “Each showed integrity and professionalism when the Commission reached out, and their cooperation exemplifies how public officials can work constructively to uphold public trust.”
The Governmental Conduct Act prohibits public officers from using the powers and resources of their public office to obtain a private benefit. The Act requires officials to disclose their private financial interests when those interests intersect with public business. The Commission enforces these standards so that New Mexicans can have confidence in the integrity of their government.
Read the full settlement agreements here:
- Memorialization of the verbal Settlement Agreement between the New Mexico State Ethics Commission and Irma Rodriguez
- Settlement Agreement between the New Mexico State Ethics Commission and Joe Milo
About the State Ethics Commission
The State Ethics Commission is an independent, constitutional state agency with the authority to enforce civil violations of New Mexico’s governmental ethics and disclosure statutes, including the Governmental Conduct Act. The Commission is comprised of three Democratic Commissioners, three Republican Commissioners, and one independent Commissioner who is registered as “decline to state.” For more information about the State Ethics Commission, please visit sec.nm.gov.