Dona Ana County whistleblower discusses criminal past

Abc-7 obtained court documents that show Robert Hernandez served time for residential burglary and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

“I was a young man i made a stupid mistake and making that mistake.I found myself being convicted,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez says background checks were performed every year he worked as an elections official at the county clerks office.

“The issue was brought up that I did have a criminal past and if there was a conflict of me working as an election official and he determined it did not so I was allowed to continue,” Hernandez said.

“Obviously it speaks for itself and it certainly raises issues of credibility,” County Clerk Lynn Ellins said.

Hernandez says while he would like to run for county clerk next year he first has to be pardoned by the governor because of his felony record.

He says if people want to attack his integrity for something he did 30 years ago, then they have too much time on their hands.

“I made a mistake I learned from it and you move on,” Hernandez said.