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What other public figures are saying about the indictments

Tribune staff
Friday, March 30, 2007

Some reaction to the indictments of Manny Aragon and three others.

Through a spokeswoman, Metro Court Chief Judge Judith Nakamura said she was studying the indictments and would be available for comment today. Technically, Metro Court judges were in charge of the construction project, though most decisions were delegated to then-Court Administrator Toby Martinez, one of the four indicted Thursday.

The Republican Party of New Mexico said it was about time.

"The wheels of justice turn slowly in New Mexico, but now they are finally beginning to turn," a news release said, claiming that investigations involving Metro Court and the state District Courthouse had been under way for four and five years, respectively.

"It's tangible evidence that the cancer of public corruption has existed far too long in New Mexico," acting Executive Director Chris Atencio said. "Today's actions are long overdue."

The Democratic Party of New Mexico commended the U.S. Attorney's Office for its "refusal to bend to political pressure" by rushing the indictments.

"I only hope that (Sen.) Pete Domenici's and (Rep.) Heather Wilson's attempted political manipulation of these indictments has not played into the defense attorney's hands," party Chairman John Wertheim said. "Because if these indictments do not lead to convictions, Wilson and Domenici will be to blame."

State Sen. Joe Carraro, an Albuquerque Republican, saw some irony in the indictments. Earlier in the day Thursday, Carraro said, he reintroduced an ethics reform bill at the Roundhouse. It was opposed by the leadership of both parties, he said.

"They didn't want to hear about it," he said, "but this is proof that we need it."

Carraro, who served across the aisle from Aragon, said he was "saddened that something like this might be true. Even though we all expected it, it still comes as something of a shock."