Watchdog group files ethics complaint against far-left legislator over Spaceport conflicts
According to a complaint filed with the New Mexico Legislature by the Rio Grande Foundation’s Paul Guessing, it alleges “various conflicts of interest at Spaceport America” involving far-left state Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Bernalillo).
According to the complaint, “Records of the Secretary of State shows that a campaign committee (New Day For NM, Charles Vigil, Treasurer) made expenditures, not reasonably related to [serving] constituents, without limitations on use, to a consultant: who fails to disclose contracts with Virgin Galactic, a foreign for-profit corporation that 6 influenced legislation; introduced by the candidate with effect on Facilities Lease with Spaceport America.”
The complaint further reads that “The New Mexico Spaceport Authority executed the Facilities Lease with Virgin Galactic on or about December 31, 2008. The Facilities Lease is alleged to be amended on or about December 31, 2018. The Legislature of the State of New Mexico (HB68 sponsor: Hochman- Vigil, 2021Regular) limits the liability for the operation of the Spaceport; and, the Spaceport Authority and Virgin Galactic will renegotiate the limits of liability contained in the Facilities Lease (15.6. 13 Change in Limits.) for comprehensive aviation liability policies of insurance, including Aircraft liability, passenger liability, Airport/Spaceport premises liability, contractual liability and products/completed operations, from no less than Two Hundred Million and No/100s Dollars ($200,000,000.00) to one million dollars ($1,000,000) annually.”
In Section II of the complaint, it alleges that the “[c]ampaign committee made expenditures not reasonably related to serve constituents, without limitations on use, to a consultant: An individual who is responsible for the distribution of funds, and president of Women in Aviation (WAI) Land of Enchantment Chapter (85-0960381), an organization with delinquent New Mexico Attorney General Office non-profit registration submission, that receives contributions from Virgin Galactic, a foreign business entity; whose members include the Government Affairs Director for Virgin Galactic, not registered as a lobbyist with Secretary of State – NM; and, the candidate is the person authorized to receive service of process for WAI Land of Enchantment Chapter.”
According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, which attempted to reach Hochman-Vigil for comment, was unsuccessful.
Hochman-Vigil is a far-left legislator who is supported by scandal-plagued Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham who is under fire currently for allegations of fraud to the tune of $200 million at Spaceport America after a whistleblower produced a lengthy court filing.
State Rep. Dayan Hochman Vigil has endorsed far-left candidates such as socialist Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and proposed legislation that would further erode the rights of New Mexicans.
Read the full complaint here.