Bernalillo County DA spokesman fired

The spokesman for Bernalillo County District Attorney has been fired in connection with a domestic violence investigation, the office said Thursday.

Second Judicial District Attorney Policy and Planning Chief Adolfo Mendez II said Michael Patrick was terminated after an investigation into allegations of domestic violence at his Albuquerque home.

Police lapel footage from April 14 show officers interviewing his wife, who said Patrick, 50, pushed her into a closet after an argument over credit card expenses.

According to a criminal complaint, a credit card agent on the phone heard Patrick and his wife, KOAT-TV anchor Shelly Ribando, arguing. The agent called police after she heard Ribando say her “husband hit me,” and the call disconnected, the criminal complaint said.

Patrick told officers he was looking to move out of the house to escape a troubled marriage but denied physically hurting Ribando.

Patrick has been the spokesman for District Attorney Raúl Torrez, who took office in 2017.

“We hold every employee in this office to the highest standard of conduct,” Mendez said. “A thorough review of the criminal summons filed yesterday by the Albuquerque Police Department, the police report, and responding officer lapel videos, revealed that Mr. Patrick failed to meet this office’s high standards and engaged in conduct unacceptable for any employee of this office.”

Court records do not list an attorney for Patrick.