By Jim Scarantino on June 7, 2010
And Doesn’t Make the Prosecution’s Job Easier
Diane Denish, the Democratic candidate for New Mexico Governor, has injected herself into a complicated, high-profile criminal case. A campaign ad falsely credits her with an investigation into the District III Housing Authority scandal and says, “because Diane Denish didn’t back down,” four people are under indictment. In trying to make herself look like a crime fighter, Denish has complicated the prosecution’s work and made herself a witness for the defense.
Denish’s False Ad
In Part I of our reporting on this topic, we showed how Denish’s ad was false. It features Frances Williams, a woman frequently described as the whistleblower in this multi-million dollar caper. Williams on camera says she went to Denish in her current position as Lt. Governor and that Denish “investigated” corruption in the District III Housing Authority. Those allegations of corruption involve embezzlement, fraud and money-laundering by Vincent “Smiley” Gallegos,
Vincent “Smiley” Gallegos
the former District III Housing Authority executive director. The ad then gives Denish credit for the indictments as well as increased oversight.
Heath Haussamen’s Primer on the District III Housing Authority Case
But the Attorney General knows of no investigation by Denish and says the indictments are solely the result of its own investigation. Defense lawyers in the case say they have been provided no investigatory reports from Denish’s office. Nor has Denish been identified by the AG’s office as someone with knowledge of any facts of the case–facts either supporting or contradicting the allegations. Gallegos’ defense lawyer says the ad is a “fantasy.”
But because Denish has been running an ad on television all over New Mexico that sets up the whistleblower to make false statements, Denish has helped the lawyers defending invidivuals charged with stealing from the taxpayers of New Mexico.
This is an example of contrasting campaigning that confuses the voters and abets the criminals. If this is an example of the next five months campaigning, we will all be ready for Prozac or the like. Please, Ms. Denish, put some truth and dignity into your advertising. I know Susana Martinez will.