N.M. District Judge Murphy Arrested On New Bribery Charge

New Mexico state police arrested suspended New Mexico District Court Judge Michael Murphy at his Las Cruces home Thursday morning.

Already awaiting trial on pay to play charges, Murphy was arrested on suspicion of bribery of a public official. This is a new charge against the embattled judge, who was indicted on a bribery scheme in May.

Murphy was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Facility, and was released on a $10,000 bond Thursday morning.

According to investigators, Murphy tried to solicit another judge?s vote in exchange for favorable ruling in a complaint pending against her.

ABC-7’s was the only camera rolling as a New Mexico State Police unit drove Murphy to the Dona Ana County Detention Center.

He spent about an hour in jail before his wife posted his $10,000 bond.

A taped conversation between Murphy and Lisa Schultz, another district judge, appears to be the smoking gun for investigators in this latest bribery charge.

According to the statement of facts, Murphy was trying to secure Schultz?s vote for District Judge Doug Driggers to be elected as the next chief judge.

The document states Murphy told Schultz, ?If you help Doug out, why wouldn?t he go out of his way to help you out. I didn?t say that. But that?s my thinking.?

The statement of facts goes on to state Murphy told Schultz she would likely have easier assignments and cases, along with shorter workdays if Driggers was elected.

Schultz was facing a judicial standards complaint against her at the time and investigators allege Murphy allegedly used that as leverage.

According to the statement of facts, Murphy told Schultz, ?I am certainly going to go out of my way to help you out.?

Investigators say, during the election for the new chief judge, Schultz voted for herself because of her concern about the bribe and lack of ethics involved.

ABC-7 stopped by Murphy?s home to see if he had anything to say about the charges. His wife answered the door, said ?Thank you,? and slammed it shut. Murphy was seen walking past the doorway during this brief encounter.

ABC-7 attempted to contact Murphy?s criminal defense attorney for comment and was told he is currently on vacation.

In May, a Dona Ana County grand jury formally charged District Judge Mike Murphy with four counts related to an alleged bribery scheme. Inside a 12-page indictment, Judge Murphy admitted that funneling money to former Gov. Bill Richardson to secure a judicial appointment was simply how business was done.

According to the indictment, the scheme started back in 2006, when Richardson appointed Murphy. Court documents state Murphy admitted to recently retired Judge Steven Bridgforth that he gave $4,000 to a prominent Las Cruces businessman so Richardson would secure a spot for him on the bench.

Judge Bridgforth told an investigator that he warned Judge Murphy not to talk about that because, ?It sounds like you?re paying for the position,? according to the document.

The indictment also states Judge Murphy threatened other judicial candidates allegedly saying they must give a substantial amount of money to Richardson?s close friend Edgar Lopez, who would then hand-deliver contributions to the former governor.

When District Judge Lisa Schultz learned of the situation and contacted a retired Court of Appeals judge, Rudy Apodaca, she was allegedly told to keep quiet or risk ruining her career, the indictment states.

Investigators allegedly asked another district judge, James Martin, if money in exchange for an appointment was common practice. According to court documents, he told them, ?The Governor picks someone who is active in the party. A way to show you?re active in the party is to make donations? that?s kind of the nature of politics, you have to be actively involved in the game.?

Judge Murphy is the only person involved in the case who has been charged with any crime.