New Mexico State Rep. Accused Of Fraud

ProgressNow New Mexico is accusing state Rep. Rick Little of lying about his home address.

The organization said they’ve been looking into all the candidates running across the state.

Executive Director Pat Davis said it was suspicious when they Googled Little’s home address and found a business. Little lists his address on his voter registration and application for candidacy as 305 Mesilla View Dr. That’s also the location of his home moving business, R Little Enterprises Inc.

“Our public records found the only residential property there was a vacant lot, and there was no certificate of occupancy,” Davis told ABC-7.

Davis said Little actually resides in a four-bedroom house miles away from his business. That home is located on Nike Air Road which used to lie outside of Little’s district. With the latest redistricting maps drawn, that house now lies in District 53, the district Little represents.

“We’re just looking into how honest he was with his voters and whether he’s trying to pull a fast one on the secretary of state and on the voters in order to run in a district where he was more likely to win,” Davis said.

Little has represented District 53, covering Otero County, since 2010. He told ABC-7 he has always lived in a house inside his district.

“I have residences at both places, so I would say that I live at 305 Mesilla, and I do spend time over there. As a matter of fact, well, I’ll just go ahead and say it. My ex-wife is living there, and we are reconciling, so I do spend time out there. I sleep at 305 Mesilla,” Little said.

Davis said Little is claiming to live on a property that is not legally a residential lot.

“If he wants to live there, he wants to establish a residency, he has to follow the law, has to follow the right procedures. That begins by getting it inspected properly and paying taxes properly on it,” Davis said.

Little said he pays taxes on all of his properties. There is a home that seems to be on the same lot as Little’s business. Neighbors told ABC-7 Little does stay there sometimes.

The state representative’s candidacy is also being challenged for allegedly filling out his candidacy papers incorrectly. There are a handful of candidates running who are being challenged for the same mishap.

A court will hear those challenges next Tuesday.