Judge finally set for Griego case
The criminal case against former state Sen. Phil Griego finally appears poised to move forward. District Judge Sarah Singleton, assigned the hot potato case after seven other judges in the 1st Judicial District recused themselves, has ordered Griego to make his first appearance in court April 4. That will be more than a month after Attorney General Hec- tor Balderas filed criminal charges against Griego, alleging the former senator used his position as a legislator to make money in a real estate deal.
The case fell to Singleton after three other judges recused themselves last week. In most cases, the judges haven’t provided explanations — and they aren’t required to do so — but have just marked “other good cause” on court recusal forms.
Griego, a Democrat from San Miguel County, is accused by the AG’s Office of 10 crimes, including bribery, fraud, perjury and tampering with public records. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 28 years in prison and more than $40,000 in fines. Griego resigned from the Senate in March 2015 rather than face possible discipline, but he has insisted he committed no criminal acts.