Former Wackenhut Senator Charged

Wackenhut is now known as the GEO Group. They currently have the contract to build a private prison in Ault. Nolin Renfrow, former Department of Corrections director of prisons is being investigated by CBI for his role in securing that contract.

SANTA FE — Manny Aragon ran the Senate for more than a decade as its top leader and the Albuquerque Democrat reigned as one of the most powerful political figures in New Mexico.

However, his political legacy was clouded Thursday by federal indictments alleging that he received $700,000 in payoffs as part of a conspiracy with others to inflate contracts in the construction of an Albuquerque courthouse that the state helped finance.

The payments allegedly were made to Aragon while he served in the Senate as well as after he resigned in mid-2004 to become president of New Mexico Highlands University.

Aragon, a lawyer, was charged with 14 counts of conspiracy, mail fraud and money laundering in the federal investigation of corruption in the construction of the $83 million Metropolitan court building and a parking garage.

Prosecutors allege that Aragon helped obtain financing for the project and received payments from contractors. The indictment contends that Aragon played a role in selecting contractors and subcontractors.

Aragon, who turned 60 last week, did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.

The federal charges against the high-profile Democrat were announced as the Senate was meeting in a special session. Rumors that indictments were imminent swirled throughout the Capitol in the hours before prosecutors disclosed the charges against Aragon and three others. In addition, three people — including a well-known lobbyist and former Albuquerque mayor — entered guilty pleas in the corruption case.

Sen. Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, who served with Aragon for 25 years, said, "I certainly hope it's not true, but the indictment looks very damaging."

Read the Article Here