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NM School Official: Art Theft Was A Prank

A northern New Mexico school board member who was caught on videotape removing a 4-foot-long iguana bronze sculpture from a tribal resort claims taking the artwork was a "foolish prank."

Pojoaque Valley School Board President David Ortiz says that board member Jon Paul Romero admitted to him he had been drinking before the incident.

Ortiz says Romero hasn't indicated whether he intends to resign from the board.

Ortiz acknowledged that some people have asked for Romero to step down, but he says the school board has no authority to force a resignation.

The district attorney's office says Romero won't be prosecuted and instead is being referred to a counseling program for first-time, non-violent offenders.

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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com

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