More trouble for state Sen. Ray Begaye

State Sen. Ray Begaye (D-Shiprock) — already the target of an investigation from the state Attorney General’s office for allegedly double-billing taxpayers for trips he went on for free — now is under fire for writing to a judge on state rep letterhead asking to intercede on a DWI case involving his daughter.

From Gadi Schwartz of KOB-TV:

In a July 2012 letter on official state legislature letterhead Begaye asks a magistrate judge to release his daughter from jail for a DWI.

In another letter dated back in December of 2009 Begaye appears to try and justify a DWI by writing, “there were technical matters beyond her control that led to her arrest.”

The letters also list Begaye’s committee appointments including his membership on the powerful Appropriation and Finance Committee. That committee controls the budget for the state judiciary.

The letter appears to be in direct violation of a 1996 advisory opinion issued by a by a state ethics committee and the New Mexico Governmental Conduct Act.

Here’s the story that ran Thursday night (Oct. 18):

Begaye is running for re-election in Senate District 4 against Republican Sharon Clahchischilliage. Here’s a story we wrote about the race last month.