Mike Murphy (New Mexico)
Mike Murphy was a District Court judge in the Third Judicial District of New Mexico.[1] He retired from the court on February 24, 2012.[2]
Bribery allegations
In May 2011, the New Mexico Supreme Court suspended Judge Murphy after he was indicted on charges of bribery. The charges are a result of a conversation in 2007 with a potential applicant for the Third District Court. At that time, Murphy allegedly told the applicant that she must make a substantial contribution to the Democratic Party, specifically one individual whom Murphy later said he worked closely with to pick new judges. During a later conversation with Judge Lisa Schultz, Murphy allegedly reiterated the importance of the cash payments. At that time, he also indicated that the money would get directly handed over to Governor Bill Richardson.[3][4]
To read the indictment, follow this link (dead link).
Former Governor Bill Richardson responded to the allegations in a statement, saying "Campaign contributions never influenced my appointments," and that the suggestion was "outrageous and defamatory."[5]
At the time of his retirement, Murphy made clear that he was stepping down from the court because of this age, health, and legal situation.[2]
In April 2013, Murphy entered a plea of no contest to misdemeanor misconduct in the case but maintained his innocence. He claims he is the "innocent victim of a political witch hunt."[6] In return for the plea, the state dismissed four felony charges.
- "Under the plea bargain, Murphy was given a 364-day suspended jail sentence, ordered to do 200 hours of community service and barred from ever again holding public office or entering the state district court building in Las Cruces."[6]
Additionally, Murphy is no longer eligible for health and retirements benefits through the state judiciary.[6]
See also
- News: Embattled judge resigns from bench, February 22, 2012
- News: Bribery charges reinstated against New Mexico district judge, October 31, 2011
- News: NM Judge arrested for additional bribery charges, July 29, 2011
External links
- 3rd District Judges
- The Washington Post, "Plea hearing set for New Mexico judge accused in former Gov. Bill Richardson bribery case," April 12, 2013
- Las Cruces Sun-News, Opinion: "Their View: Mike Murphy must be judged fairly," May 24, 2011
- The New York Times, "New Mexico Judge Charged in Bribery Case, but Former Governor Draws a Mention," May 21, 2011
- KFox14, "NM High Court Won't Suspend Las Cruces Judge," April 12, 2011 (dead link)
- nmpolitics.net "Politicking is part of the process for becoming a judge" 6/15/11
- The New Mexico Independent "Bill Richardson listed as bribery trial witness" 06.03.11
- The Republic, "Indictment reinstated against judge in New Mexico bribery case; trial scheduled for February," October 17, 2011
- KRWG.com, "NM District Judge Says He's Resigning This Month," February 9, 2012
Footnotes
- ↑ Judges of the 3rd Judicial District Court
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 KRWG.com, "NM District Judge Says He's Resigning This Month," February 9, 2012
- ↑ Santa Fe New Mexican, "N.M. judge suspended in bribery allegations," May 16, 2011 (dead link)
- ↑ NMPolitics.net, "Murphy suspended without pay," May 16, 2011
- ↑ NMpolitics.net, "Richardson denies judicial bribery allegations," May 18, 2011
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 KMPH, "Former NM judge enters plea in bribery case," April 18, 2013
Federal courts:
Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of New Mexico • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of New Mexico
State courts:
New Mexico Supreme Court • New Mexico Court of Appeals • New Mexico District Courts • New Mexico Magistrate Court • New Mexico Municipal Courts • New Mexico Probate Courts • New Mexico Problem-Solving Courts • New Mexico Workers' Compensation Administration Court • Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
State resources:
Courts in New Mexico • New Mexico judicial elections • Judicial selection in New Mexico
