Rep. Gentry’s bill would, among other things:
· Make jail sentences mandatory for convicted public officials;
· Make it possible to seize the retirement or pension funds from those convicted, depending on the severity of the crime;
· Place a lifetime ban on lobbyists and contractors convicted of corruption; and
· Require public employees to report corruption.
Rep. David Doyle’s bill would create a public corruption unit within the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. “Not only would this unit enforce our corruption laws,” says Rep. Doyle, “but it should serve as a deterrent against any elected official who toys with the idea of abusing their power.”
“Corrupt public officials deserve to be prosecuted,” says Rep. Gentry. “We were elected to serve, and when you break the public’s trust and put your own interests above those of your constituents, you need to be held accountable.”
In all, these bills would add over a dozen new provisions to New Mexico’s law that would punish those convicted of corruption and prevent those who might consider it. “I am tired of corruption headlines defining our state, this is a bill that will do something about it,” says Rep. Gentry.
