ALBUQUERQUE – New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas joined a multistate coalition of 22 attorneys general in calling on the heads of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take swift action to eliminate toxic metals from baby food. In a letter to FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannis, and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, the coalition outlines key strategies for the federal agencies that would allow them to take immediate and widespread action that would drive down the levels of dangerous toxic metals in food for babies and young children. This is the latest action in a series of efforts in response to increasing alarm regarding the health hazards posed by lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury in baby foods, including cereals, purees, and other products for babies and young children, aside from formula.
ALBUQUERQUE – New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas and a national coalition of 22 attorneys general today issued the following joint statement reaffirming their commitment to supporting and expanding access to abortion care. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, access to safe and legal abortion remains robustly protected in numerous states across the country, including in New Mexico and the coalition states. As highlighted by the multistate coalition’s efforts in the amicus brief led by California in Dobbs, the coalition of attorneys general will continue to fight to support the rights of pregnant people nationwide.
SANTA FE — Today, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas and Aging & Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) Secretary Katrina Hotrum-Lopez announced a new statewide scam alert system designed to alert New Mexico senior citizens and their loved ones about scams that may be targeting them.
ALBUQUERQUE--- Today, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas issued the following statement after the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe V. Wade:
“Today’s Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade creates medical uncertainty and chaos throughout our nation; and I want to assure New Mexico women and their families that I will continue to fight for their rights to adequate health services that are protected under New Mexico law,” said Attorney General Balderas.
ALBUQUERQUE — Today, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that Maria de Lourdes Ramos de Ruiz, a former Albuquerque spa owner who conducted dangerous, unlicensed medical procedures on members of the general public, has pled guilty to five felony counts of practicing medicine without a license. Ramos de Ruiz was indicted by a Bernalillo County grand jury in April 2021 for performing ‘vampire facials’ and other unlicensed medical procedures on at least two individuals who later contracted HIV. Ruiz faces up to 7½ years in prison.
ALBUQUERQUE— New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas today announced that New Mexico along with 45 other attorneys general, has obtained a $1.25 million multistate settlement with Florida-based Carnival Cruise Line stemming from a 2019 data breach that involved the personal information of approximately 180,000 Carnival employees and customers nationwide. New Mexico will receive $11,573.98 from the settlement.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Attorney General Hector Balderas announces that New Mexico has joined with 49 other states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the federal government to settle allegations of fraud against Mallinckrodt ARD, LLC (formerly known as Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), a U.S. subsidiary of the Irish pharmaceutical company Mallinckrodt plc (Mallinckrodt), which sells and markets pharmaceutical products throughout the nation. The total value of the settlement is $233,707,865.18, plus interest, to be paid over a period of seven years. Of this amount, New Mexico will receive $493,974.38 in restitution.
ALBUQUERQUE — Today, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that Bernadette Etsitty was sentenced to 12 years for the DWI-based vehicular homicide of Roxana Saenz, the maximum allowed under the plea agreement. Etsitty was convicted by a guilty plea in April 2022.
ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas and Fifth Judicial District Attorney Dianna Luce announce that the AG’s office will review the shooting death of David Aguilera. DA Luce sent a letter to AG Balderas on June 15, asking him to take over the case due to a conflict in her office.
FARMINGTON — Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas, Environment Secretary James Kenney, and Natural Resources Trustee Maggie Hart Stebbins on Thursday announced a $32 million final settlement with the United States and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Gold King Mine litigation.