LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A judge in Las Cruces has refused to delay Tuesday's mayoral elections in the troubled border town of Sunland Park.
State District Judge Susan Riedel denied the request from Dona Ana County District Attorney Amy Orlando Friday afternoon. Orlando sought the delay after Secretary of State Dianna Duran wrapped an investigation of alleged voter fraud in the town.
The action comes after a whirlwind week and a half that saw police raids on City Hall, the arrests of three city officials, the elections probe and the launch of a comprehensive state audit of the town's operations and finances.
Among those arrested last weekend was Mayor Pro Tem and mayoral candidate Daniel Salinas, who along with two other city officials is accused of trying to force rival Gerardo Hernandez out of the mayor's race with a with a secretly recorded video of him getting a lap dance.
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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.