A top New Mexico official is expected to enter a plea to charges that she funneled campaign contributions to her bank accounts and withdrew large sums of money at casinos around the state.
Republican Secretary of State Dianna Duran is due in court Tuesday to be arraigned on 64 counts of embezzlement, fraud, money laundering and other charges.
The charges were leveled more than two weeks ago.
She has also been a no-show at her elected post except for some calls with staff.
The charges involve a total of $13,000 in campaign donations.
Duran's attorney has vowed to fight the charges, but Duran has remained silent.
The allegations raised questions about the enforcement of the state's election and campaign finance reporting laws.
Some lawmakers are expected to begin work as part of impeachment proceedings.
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