New Mexico Supreme Court censures district judge

TUCUMCARI, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court has publicly censured a 10th Judicial District judge in Tucumcari for violating the Code of Judicial Conduct.
The Eastern New Mexico News reports that a document unsealed Monday by the state Supreme Court shows that Judge Albert J. Mitchell allegedly said during a meeting with Quay County Manager Richard Primrose that he would ask the governor to veto capital-outlay funds due to the county.
Mitchell denied he engaged in "willful misconduct regarding political influence." But the document shows Mitchell did not contest several allegations, including that he made statements "indicating he had the governor's ear and could call on her to line-item veto capital outlay funds for Quay County" if court-security measures weren't met.
Primrose declined to comment, and an email to Mitchell requesting comment was not immediately answered Tuesday.
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Information from: The Eastern New Mexico News, http://www.easternnewmexiconews.com