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During the recent recall petition process of Las Cruces City Councilors Gil Sorg, Nathan Small, and Olga Pedroza, Many Las Cruces residents alleged that petitioners were using misleading information to get them to sign the petitions. Samantha Sonner has more on what is being done to address the allegations.
Las Cruces Resident Anita Allen says a recall petitioner who came to her door, told her that the government was trying to close a youth boxing center, but the petition was not to save the center.
“I said may I see the petition, and she showed it to me and it clearly said that it was a recall petition for my council member Olga Pedroza. So, I said that this is not what it is; it’s a recall petition. Why did you say it was the other thing? She (Petitioner) said, that’s what they are planning on doing. And I said you’re lying…. you’re trying to deceive me and I don’t appreciate it, and take your petition and go elsewhere.”
Las Cruces Spokesperson Udell Vigil says the city heard from several people about the allegations of misrepresentation.
“We received 10 phone calls, two letters, and several emails,” Vigil said. “But what’s important to note is any violations, or alleged violations of election laws are on the state level. The city doesn’t have jurisdiction to prosecute or do anything about it. We are bound by the municipal code, so it’s basically city ordinance. But, we do know that the state police is aware of alleged complaints, and the District Attorney is aware of alleged complaints.”
Over 750 people contacted the city requesting their names be removed from the petition, but the city was unable to say how many of those people requested their names be removed because they felt that they were misled.
City Councilor and attorney Olga Pedroza says she heard the allegations from many people and the allegations should be investigated.
“My opinion is yes they should be prosecuted,” Pedroza said. “Because, as I understand, that kind of misrepresentation if it’s serious enough is a 4th degree felony. And I think that it was very open, they did it, and they never stopped. They did it without any remorse. They kept doing it, kept coming up with a different lie each time, and so that just doesn’t sound to me like something that should be allowed to continue.”
Samantha Barncastle, Legal Counsel for the Group New Mexicans for a Better Tomorrow, says petition circulators were trained on what to say when going door to door and says she hasn’t seen any evidence of fraud.
“I’m not real sure that there are real issues of fraud out there,” Barncastle said. “Nobody has so far come forward and actually proven real fraud. There have been complaints made and state police, as far as I’m aware has looked into those and found that there is no evidence to support actual fraud.”
New Mexico State Police confirmed they are investigating the allegations, but cannot comment on an ongoing investigation. Sgt. Elizabeth Armijo said in an email “because there is a large scope of information to look into, it’s going to be a process and take some time.”
Councilor Pedroza says she heard petitioners told residents a recall would keep her in office, and says that is evidence of fraud.
“I certainly think that doing the opposite,” Pedroza said. “Saying recall means bring her back, when actually recall means kick her out, seems to me very serious misrepresentation. And that was frequent enough that I believe that there were more than 250 people in my district that said, wait a minute, that’s not why I signed, I don’t want to do that take my name off of that petition.”
KRWG also spoke with Susan Lindeman who alleged misrepresentation.
“He said the government wanted to close down some very worth while social centers, and then proceeded to tell me which ones and what they were doing and why they were worthwhile to keep them open.”
At this time, it’s unclear if anyone will be prosecuted, something Councilor Pedroza supports. But she adds, she doesn’t want any quote “kids” to be prosecuted.
KRWG reached out to the District Attorney’s office for comment, he is currently on vacation and not able to make a statement at this time. We will continue to follow this story as we receive new information.
