Middleman In NM Corruption Case Enters Plea Agreement On State Charges

SANTA FE, N.M.(AP) – An Albuquerque businessman who served as a middleman in an investment kickback scheme in the New Mexico state treasurer’s office pleaded guilty Thursday to a state charge of racketeering.

Angelo Garcia was a key witness for federal prosecutors in a corruption case against former treasurer Robert Vigil.

However, the state brought criminal charges against him for the crimes he testified about in federal court involving Vigil and former Treasurer Michael Montoya.

Garcia, who entered the plea agreement in state district court in Santa Fe, will not serve prison time beyond what he has been sentenced to in other cases.

District Judge Barbara Vigil sentenced Garcia to nine years but the term will run concurrently with other sentences.

Garcia originally faced more than 30 state charges, including bribery of a public officer and paying or offering to pay kickbacks.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)