Albuquerque, NM - Attorney General Hector Balderas today announced that New Mexico will join in an $18.5 billion nationwide settlement with the three largest distributors of opioid medications in the United States. The three distributors who will pay into the settlement over the next 18 years are McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, and Cardinal Health.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM---Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that Pamela and Randy Smith have been sentenced to prison for multiple frauds and for engaging in an official act for personal gain. Pamela Smith previously served as a probate judge and deputy medical investigator for the City of Truth or Consequences. She used her official positions to falsify public records related to a deceased man’s estate and appointed her husband, Randy Smith, as special administrator to that man’s estate. Randy Smith used his appointed position to steal approximately $284,000 from the estate and convert it to the Smiths’ own personal use.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM---Today, Attorney General Balderas announced support for legislation proposed by the State Ethics Commission that would dramatically overhaul New Mexico’s existing Financial Disclosure Act. As it currently stands, the Act requires certain public officers to file disclosure statements with the Secretary of State listing various categories of financial-related information. However, critics of the Act have noted it is unduly vague as to who is required to make a disclosure and is similarly vague as to what must be disclosed.
Santa Fe, NM – Attorney General Hector Balderas has joined several states in urging the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to adopt cost-effective energy efficiency standards for manufactured houses (commonly known as mobile homes). In a letter submitted in response to an August 2021 DOE proposal, the states, along with local government officials, request that DOE apply minimum energy standards across the board, including to the lowest priced homes. DOE has proposed two potential approaches – uniform minimum standards for all models, or a “tiered” approach that would apply less stringent standards for units below a certain price threshold.
Below is Attorney General Balderas' response to the attached Press Release.
"Grateful to Senator Cervantes and the NM Legislature for giving us the legal tools to partner with citizen whistleblowers and allowing our office to recover over 24 million dollars that we will return to educator and public employee pension funds in New Mexico."
ALBUQUERQUE, NM---Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that Jordan Padilla was committed to 57 years in the Department of Corrections as part of a 271 year sentence. On June 25, 2021, a Bernalillo County jury convicted the Defendant of 25 felony counts related to the prolific sexual abuse of children, including charges of criminal sexual penetration of a child under 13 years of age, false imprisonment, and sexual exploitation of children. Judge Cindy Leos presided over the trial and sentencing. As part of this sentence, Judge Leos ordered restitution for the unidentified child victim and for dozens of other children harmed by the Defendant while he is serving his prison sentence. Judge Leos emphasized that the restitution order is to be a reminder, every month, of the consequences of his criminal sexual abuse of children and the lifelong harm it caused to the victims.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM--- Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced the conviction and sentencing of another repeat offender as a result of a partnership between APD and Home Depot’s Asset Protection Team. Michael Johnston was sentenced today to 2 years in the Department of Corrections by Judge Stan Whitaker of the Second Judicial District Court following his guilty plea to two counts of felony shoplifting.
In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, Attorney General Balderas today remembers all missing and murdered American Indian and Alaska Natives on Red Shawl Day.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM--- Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced the convictions and sentencings of two co-defendants as a result of a multi-agency investigation of prolific criminals in Albuquerque. On November 17, 2021, Janelle Delayo was sentenced to 3 years in the Department of Corrections by Judge James Sanchez of the Thirteenth Judicial District Court following her guilty pleas to felony shoplifting, receipt and transfer of a stolen car and an admission to violating the terms of her probation for an armed robbery conviction. Her associate, Frankie Snyder, was sentenced on October 18, 2021 to 18 months in the Department of Corrections by Judge Stanley Whitaker of the Second Judicial District Court following guilty pleas to charges related to the receipt and transfer of a stolen car and multiple controlled substance offenses.
Albuquerque, NM – Attorney General Balderas today joined a nationwide investigation into Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, for providing and promoting its social media platform – Instagram – to children and young adults despite knowing that such use is associated with physical and mental health harms. Attorneys General across the country are examining whether the company violated state consumer protection laws and put the public at risk.