Lawyer denies Youngblood abused position
AG’s claim that legislator tried to influence officers is disputed
SANTA FE — The attorney for embattled state Rep. Monica Youngblood has disputed the finding by Attorney General Hector Balderas’ office that Youngblood used her elected position to try to influence police officers during her DWI arrest earlier this year.
In a letter sent to an assistant attorney general, lawyer Paul Kennedy of Albuquerque also said it was “no coincidence” that the AG’s office made its determination roughly 40 days before New Mexico’s general election.
Both Youngbood, a Republican, and Balderas, a Democrat,
are seeking re-election to their respective seats in November.
“Your conclusion that Ms. Youngblood’s conviction impairs her fitness to implement important public safety legislation is unfounded and unsupported,” Kennedy wrote in his letter, while noting the state Democratic Party had called on the attorney general to investigate Youngblood’s actions during the DWI arrest.
Youngblood, an Albuquerque Republican who had been touted by a national GOP group as a rising star, was convicted last month of aggravated drunken driving after a daylong trial. She is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday.
Assistant Attorney General Dylan Lange informed Youngblood the day after her conviction that the AG’s Office had been closely monitoring her case and believes she violated the state’s Governmental Conduct Act.
But Kennedy, who has represented Gov. Susana Martinez and other prominent Republicans in court, said he reviewed lapel camera footage taken by the arresting officer after Youngblood was stopped at a sobriety checkpoint in May and saw no evidence to support the claim.
“I find nothing whatsoever in that video that could be construed as a request for personal benefits, nor did I see anywhere in the video where she obtained any personal benefits,” Kennedy wrote in his letter.
The lapel cam footage shows Youngblood telling Albuquerque Police Department officers she has introduced bills to protect them and has stood up for them in response to discrimination claims.
“I literally fight for you guys,” Youngblood told the arresting officer at one point.
The AG’s Office said in its initial letter the comments captured on lapel cam video showed a “clear intent” on Youngblood’s part to use her position to improperly influence officers.
“Regardless of party affiliation, the Attorney General’s Office holds elected officials accountable when they violate public trust,” AG’s office spokesman David Carl said Monday. “The Attorney General’s Office stands by its findings that Rep. Youngblood violated the Governmental Conduct Act.”