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Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez wants to stay clear of the controversy surrounding his opposite number in Rio Rancho, Mayor Kevin Jackson.

Chavez and a Rio Rancho city councilor dispute records that indicate they attended events Jackson paid for with his official Rio Rancho city credit card.

On a list of Jackson's charges that Rio Rancho officials questioned is $745 for "ZZ Top Concert - Mayor Chavez" at the Santa Ana Star Center.

"I've never been to that venue," Chavez said Tuesday. "I don't know why they have that in their records."

Chavez declined to offer an opinion on the controversy or on how it will influence Albuquerque's relationship with Rio Rancho.

The questionable charges include $105 for "George Lopez event - Larry Naranjo." Naranjo is a Rio Rancho city councilor. The charges include $735 more in tickets and refreshments for the same event.

Naranjo said he went to the performance but paid for his own ticket and did not go with Jackson.

"I don't know how my name got on that receipt," he said.

The charges referenced with Chavez and Naranjo are among those Rio Rancho city employees discovered before revoking Jackson's city-issued credit card.

Dick Kristof, Rio Rancho's fiscal services director, said his office is still reviewing about $8,000 in charges Jackson made on the card.

On May 24, Jackson reimbursed the city $601 spent on Moody Blues tickets, pizza and other food.

Other charges Jackson made that have been questioned include:

• $1,600 for Willie Nelson tickets.

• $432 for Scorpions playoff tickets.

• $128 for a Willie Nelson concert with state Rep. Ray Begaye, a Shiprock Democrat, who could not be reached for comment.

Jackson has been unavailable to comment on the charges.

His lawyer, B.J. Crow, said Jackson is traveling but will probably start talking soon.

Crow said Jackson has not misspent any city money.

Rio Rancho City Councilor Marilyn Salzman, who describes herself as critical of Jackson's administration and has questioned his travel expenses, said the public deserves an explanation.

"He hasn't answered anything," she said. "I'm pretty miffed at that."

Salzman said about 12 people have sent her e-mails concerned about the flap, and she has spoken with several others who are upset.

Despite the attention Jackson is getting, Naranjo said his constituents have other concerns, including dog parks and road work.

Naranjo said one person has called him about Jackson, but the topic has come up in other conversations.

"Some people are shocked by the allegations," he said. "It sounds a lot bigger than it probably is."

Naranjo said the documents seem to show Jackson misused the card, but until the investigation is complete, it's too soon to pass judgment.

"Why he was doing it is a key element," he said. "Until we know that, there's not much to say."

In a May 24 letter to the city, Jackson said he did not authorize many of the charges.

Jackson was also fired three weeks ago as director of the New Mexico Family Council-Best Choice. The nonprofit group is being investigated amid accusations federal grant money for its programs was misspent.

Salzman said the controversy surrounding Jackson, whether justified or not, is already hurting the city.

"I'm not saying that we're at a standstill or that we're paralyzed," she said. "But it's certainly on everybody's minds."