New Mexico State Treasurer Laura Montoya, a Democrat, already no stranger to controversy, finds herself under renewed scrutiny as she takes on significant responsibilities managing a newly proposed $1 billion behavioral health trust fund if the Legislature passes the bill.
On Thursday, Montoya addressed the New Mexico Counties Association’s Treasurers’ Affiliate, using the occasion to attack newly elected state Sen. Jay Block (R-Rio Rancho), an Air Force veteran who served in Afghanistan. Montoya alleged that all veterans “except Jay Block” care about veterans’ issues.
According to Block’s campaign website, “He served for well over 20 years as a nuclear weapons officer, where he had the honor of being trusted with the country’s nuclear codes. Jay also volunteered for a combat tour in Afghanistan, commanded twice on foreign soil representing our country, and retired from military service in 2016 as a Lt Col.”
The trust fund, backed by Democrat Sen. George Muñoz, the chairman of the powerful Legislative Finance Committee, aims to provide $50 million annually to address mental health and substance abuse treatment, infrastructure, and workforce development. While the fund is a critical step for New Mexico’s behavioral health initiatives, Montoya’s personal and professional history casts doubt on her ability to effectively oversee it.
Senator Block, a former Sandoval County commissioner, told the Piñon Post in response, “I’m amazed she wasn’t paying attention when I fought for a veteran services officer to meet veterans at the Sandoval County facility because we had no service officers in our county to help them with claims. I attend many veteran functions and am a lifetime member of my local Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled Veterans organizations.”
“I pushed hard for those constitutional amendments to pass to help our veterans; you never heard anything from Laura. As a retired Air Force officer, combat veteran, and disabled veteran, I would hope Laura would quit her continuous lies and harassment of me and focus on her own personal behavior with her ethics violations and toxic leadership in her own office.”
“She’s been a mess as state treasurer. Everyone knows it, and even members of her own party have disowned her because of her ethics, lies, and behavior. Just ask her predecessor, fellow Democrat State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg. A good man and servant who is disgusted with Laura. But then again, there are many. Laura, clean up your own house before you start attacking veterans,” he concluded.
Montoya’s tenure as state treasurer has been marred by ethical violations and misconduct allegations. Most recently, the State Ethics Commission found that Montoya violated the Campaign Reporting Act during her election campaign, accepting a $10,000 straw donor contribution through a political committee but failing to properly disclose its source. The Commission stated, “Straw donor contributions… undermine transparency in our elections.” Montoya’s appeal of the decision was rejected, cementing concerns about her campaign practices.
Further tarnishing her record, Montoya has faced allegations of fostering a toxic work environment as Sandoval County treasurer. Former employees reported instances of verbal abuse, coercion to perform campaign tasks during work hours, and widespread turnover in her office. One former employee, Judi Walker, described Montoya’s behavior as “narcissistic and abusive,” citing a mass exodus of over a dozen employees under her leadership. Walker’s claims were backed by other staff members, including allegations that Montoya directed racist remarks at a Black employee.
Montoya’s personal history also raises eyebrows. In 2014, she faced a battery charge after allegedly biting and punching her boyfriend during an altercation. Montoya claimed self-defense, and the charge was ultimately dropped, but the incident continues to overshadow her career. Additionally, critics highlight her association with members of the Los Padillas gang, further amplifying concerns about her judgment.
As we previously reported, Montoya was photographed with members of the Los Padillas Gang, including Jerry Padilla, among other questionable figures. Read more about some of the Gang members’ federal guilty pleas here.
Her political adversaries, including former state treasurer and current Democrat Bernalillo County Treasurer Tim Eichenberg, have not held back in exposing her alleged misconduct. Eichenberg accused Montoya of accepting unemployment benefits while campaigning full-time, a charge Montoya denies, describing the attacks as “false and sexist” without a shred of proof to the contrary.
However, allegations of financial mismanagement persist. Investigators recently discovered that Montoya delayed filing her biannual campaign finance report until October 26, well past the October 15 deadline. She previously waited until June to file a campaign report due in October of the following year — stringing together a pattern of carelessness for New Mexico laws — as she had the reigns of the state’s finances.
Despite her “proven track record” claims, Montoya’s legacy remains clouded by scandals and unresolved questions. With significant responsibility now placed on her shoulders to manage a billion-dollar trust fund to combat New Mexico’s behavioral health crisis, many question whether Montoya is the right person for the job.
Her history of ethical violations, workplace controversies, and inflammatory rhetoric threaten to erode public trust as she navigates one of the most consequential roles of her career. Now, attacking a sitting state senator and decorated war veteran as not caring for veterans shows complete disrespect for the state’s legislative branch and the over 141,000 veterans in the state.
Not surprising, seems to be the status quo for NM democrats, they have a long history of corruption and also affiliated with Emerge New Mexico which seems to train the radical leftists.
Senator Block is patriot who caress deeply about his fellow veterans. He was the keynote speaker at a Veterans Day event at Bataan School program in Deming where he spoke eloquently about what being a veteran means. I’m proud to have Jay Block as a friend.
Jay Block’s character and military service shine like silver compared to Ms Montoya.
Laura Montoya owes Senator Block an apology.
These Liberal socialist are not going to change. But rest assured change is coming. 🇺🇸
I met Senator Block when he was Sandoval County Commissioner for my District and have known him for 8 years. I know he is an honorable man who is passionate about Veterans’ issues. I was very excited about his win for the NM Senate seat and I’m confident he will do a great job for New Mexicans. How do people like Laura even get into office? She’s a perfect example of what we don’t need in NM government.
I have had the privilege of hearing Senator Block speak on many occasions. I find Mr. Block to be a patriot and a person of unquestionable character.
My dad use to say “ if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck it must be a duck”. Laura’s reputation has been tarnished by her own stupidity and shenanigans. She has no honorable character so she must be a duck.
Give her control over another 50 million per year…if she siphons off a few thousand and gives it to her gang affiliates…Who the F*** Cares?
Not the people that voted her into office.
Not the current elected State Senators or the State House of Representatives… maybe one or two… and the others with a (R) behind their names.
They, the (R)’s dont have the votes to impeach her.
The Democratic Political Party of New Mexico are the only ones that can remove this thief from from office…. and they wont.
So… Let her steal a few hundred thousand… a million or two. No one will give a sh*t. No one will charge her with a crime. No one will convict her, and even if she is convicted in the Kangaroo Court system that is run by the Democrat Political Party… no one will sign a death certificate for her crime’s.
If their was a death penalty reestablished for convicted felons who were in a position of trust or elected by the people… Perhaps that would alter the Status Quo… but you’d still have to have a Democrat do the dirty deed.
Long rope to insure maximum velocity, Large Cottonwood Tree in the Courthouse Park, A tad longer drop, Public Free to attend… Screams required… Problem Permanently solved.
What is happening with Democrat Representative Sheryl Williams Stapleton, accused of 35 criminal counts. Many with access of $$$ abuse and get away with it.
New Mexico democrat, enough said. Pitiful!