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Business Owner Denies Agency Gave It Preferential Treatment

tax.newmexico.gov

The owner of a Bernalillo-based business at the center of a state investigation denies it received preferential treatment from the New Mexico Department of Taxation and Revenue.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the name of Harold's Grading and Trucking was discernible on a 2014 email released by the Department of Taxation and Revenue to media outlets last week.

State Auditor Tim Keller previously forwarded allegations of wrongdoing by department officials to state prosecutors. Keller didn't identify the business but said Department Secretary Demesia Padilla may have improperly influenced a tax audit of the business.

Harold Dominguez confirmed Padilla formerly was his business' accountant but he said her agency hasn't given it preferential treatment.

Padilla's agency contends the allegations are unsubstantiated and driven by disgruntled former employees.

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