Former Sunland Park City Manager: Racy texts were ‘consensual’

The manager of a small southeastern New Mexico community who is facing sexual harassment accusations says racy text messages he sent were “consensual.”

Jal City Manager Bob Gallagher told The Associated Press on Wednesday he sent “legal and consensual” text messages to an adult female and denied harassment allegations.

EDITOR’S NOTE: While working in Jal, Gallagher also served as the city manager in Sunland Park, New Mexico. Sunland Park City Council voted to terminate his contract in August 2017.

In a statement, Gallagher says his female accuser is a “willing, greedy accomplice” who is working with a Jal resident who is angry about a disposal well that was ruled out of compliance.

His statement comes after KOB-TV reported that two women were accusing Gallagher of sending them crude text messages and asking for sex.

Dadrianne White told the station Gallagher repeatedly sent her lewd text messages for two years.

Gallagher says he already has apologized to his wife and family.