Santa Fe, NM --- Attorney General Balderas today filed a lawsuit in the First Judicial District Court of New Mexico against Gilead Sciences, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, LLC, and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., for violating the New Mexico Antitrust Act and New Mexico Unfair Practices Act. The lawsuit stems from the development, marketing, and manufacturing of several antiretroviral medications used in the prevention and treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (“HIV”) – a disease which, if left untreated, destroys the immune system and leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (“AIDS”). The antiretroviral medications at issue include VIREAD®, TRUVADA®, ATRIPLA®, VEMLIDY®, and DESCOVY®.
Santa Fe, NM—Attorney General Balderas today joined 30 attorneys general in urging the Federal Communications Commission to fund internet connectivity and internet-enabled devices to K-12 students whose schools are closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and who are learning online at home or other locations. This month, the FCC asked for comment on petitions urging the commission to temporarily waive some restrictions on its E-Rate program to allow schools to extend their broadband internet networks to students’ homes and to allow E-Rate funds to support Wi-Fi hotspots or other broadband connections for students who lack adequate internet connectivity to participate in remote schooling. In their comment letter to the FCC, the attorneys general urge the commission to promptly take action to unlock the doors of the virtual classroom while physical schools remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Santa Fe, NM---Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas and Representatives Georgene Louis and Elizabeth Thomson applauded the New Mexico House of Representatives for passing House Bill 56, which is aimed at modernizing New Mexico’s anti-human trafficking laws to center and protect the rights of human trafficking victims and survivors, particularly children who are trafficked in the State. The bill, which was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives during the 2020 legislative session, passed the House by a vote of 63-3 and will now move onto the Senate.
Santa Fe, NM---Attorney General Hector Balderas today issued an advisory warning to New Mexicans about emerging scams where individuals are calling New Mexicans, saying that they are calling from the Second Judicial District Court, and that the recipient must meet someone immediately to pay court fees in cash or risk going to jail. The advisory comes after the Second Judicial District Court alerted the Office of the Attorney General that they had received information from several community members that they received a call saying the caller was from the Court and that the person was to meet them in a parking lot to pay their fines in cash.
Albuquerque, NM---Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that alleged serial child molester, James Henz, was bound over for trial in district court on numerous counts of sexual assault and other crimes against five young victims. If convicted on all counts, Henz will likely spend the rest of his life incarcerated. The district court also granted the Office of the Attorney General’s motion to hold Henz without bond before trial on the grounds that he is a danger to the community.
Santa Fe, NM---Attorney General Hector Balderas and Representatives Georgene Louis and Elizabeth Thomson have introduced House Bill 56, which is aimed at modernizing New Mexico’s anti-human trafficking laws to protect the rights of human trafficking victims and survivors, particularly children who are trafficked in the State. The bill, which was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives during the 2020 legislative session, will have its first committee hearing today in the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee.
Santa Fe, NM---Attorney General Hector Balderas announced today that his office has filed charges in the Second Judicial District against James Brandon Henz, alleging that he repeatedly sexually assaulted seven young victims over a period of a few years. Henz was arrested on these charges last week and is being held pending a preliminary hearing. The Attorney General’s Office has also filed a motion to keep Henz in jail pending trial, alleging that he is a danger to the community if released.
Santa Fe, NM---Attorney General Hector Balderas announced today that his office has filed charges in the Fourth Judicial District against Abran Ulibarri, a former school security guard in the West Las Vegas Public schools, alleging that Ulibarri repeatedly sexually assaulted an eighth-grade student over the course of a school year. The complaint charges Ulibarri with 15 felony counts. Ulibarri was arrested on these charges this morning.
Santa Fe, NM---Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that he has demanded that Couy Griffin resign from the Otero County Commission. In a letter sent to Griffin Saturday, the Attorney General demanded his resignation on multiple grounds, including accusations that he has misused public office for personal gain, has neglected his duties as a county commissioner, and because of his participation in the January 6th insurrectionist attack on the United States Capitol. The letter states that absent his resignation, the Office of the Attorney General will take all appropriate legal action to seek Griffin’s removal. This demand also comes as Griffin has reportedly been arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Santa Fe, NM---Attorney General Hector Balderas today issued an advisory to New Mexicans warning them about predatory debt collection practices from companies that attempt a variety of tactics to prey on New Mexican consumers. These practices include attempts to collect debts that do not exist, falsely reporting consumers to consumer credit agencies, and generally using threats or intimidation in an attempt to extract money from consumers. The Attorney General issued this advisory after recently suing national debt collectors for these practices and after these companies received millions of dollars in federal Paycheck Protection Program funds.