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An Albuquerque businessman and former state Senate President Manny Aragon both entered not-guilty pleas today to the latest federal indictment in the Metro Court corruption scandal.

A federal grand jury last month returned more charges in the alleged scheme, naming Michael Murphy, owner of Public Private Projects Inc., and four people who were indicted earlier this year.

Murphy was hired to represent court officials during the construction of the $83 million Bernalillo County Metropolitan Courthouse, and entered a contract with the judges in June 2002 to help oversee the project.

Murphy, who was charged with one count each of conspiracy, money laundering and mail fraud, was present in court during his initial appearance and arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Alan Torgerson.

Aragon waived his appearance at his arraignment, and his attorney, Miles Hanisee, entered the plea.

The five defendants in the case are accused of bilking the state out of $4.2 million during the courthouse construction. The other defendants are: Raul Parra, an Albuquerque engineering contractor; Toby Martinez, a former Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court administrator; and Sandra Mata Martinez, his wife.

All have pleaded not guilty.

Three other people - architect Marc Schiff; Ken Schultz, a lobbyist and former Albuquerque mayor; and subcontractor Manuel Guara - pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of conspiracy and one count of mail fraud in the case.