Two semi-retired New Mexico state judges have been nominated to oversee a criminal fraud case against former Sen. Phil Griego after a string of judges in Santa Fe District Court declined to hear the case.
State prosecutors and Griego's attorney agreed to recommend substitute Judges James A. Hall of Santa Fe or Michael E. Martinez of Albuquerque. Defense attorney Tom Smith says they are both active as substitute judges.
The chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court is deciding what judge will weigh allegations that Griego used his role as a legislator to profit from the sale of a state-owned building in 2014.
Griego has pleaded not guilty to charges including fraud, bribery, tampering with public records.
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