New Mexico House Speaker Don Tripp said Wednesday that a bipartisan committee has been created to investigate charges against Secretary of State Dianna Duran and to consider whether to recommend impeachment. Democrat Gail Chasey of Albuquerque and Republican Zach Cook of Ruidoso will serve as co-chairs of the 10-member special committee. Ms. Duran, a second-term Republican, faces a 64-count criminal indictment accusing her of funneling about $13,000 in campaign contributions to personal bank accounts and withdrawing large sums of money while frequenting casinos around the state.
Aside from her attorney saying she would fight the criminal charges in court, Ms. Duran has remained silent and has kept away from her office in Santa Fe as pressure mounts for her to resign and as state lawmakers take steps toward possible impeachment proceedings.
Mr. Tripp said lawmakers need to conduct an independent analysis of the evidence against Ms. Duran.
Full Article: New Mexico Panel to Investigate Secretary of State – WSJ.