New Mexico prosecutors in a fraud case against a contractor have disclosed that a former Santa Fe County official previously pleaded guilty to taking a bribe.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the 2012 guilty plea by former county road supervisor James Martinez was revealed for the first time Monday as testimony began Monday in the fraud case.
Martinez's criminal case was sealed after he entered his plea, and five other people were indicted in the fraud case about two week later.
Two of those defendants are now on trial. Advantage Asphalt and Seal Coating and co-owner Joe Anthony Montoya are accused of defrauding the county of about $1 million.
Montoya's defense lawyer, Sam Bregman, says his client never bribed anyone and wasn't involved in any fraud.
Information from: Santa Fe New Mexican.
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