A corruption scandal involving Albuquerque police officers and a defense attorney has been uncovered by federal prosecutors in New Mexico. The scheme, which ran from 2008 to 2023, involved officers conspiring with attorney Thomas Clear and his investigator, Ricardo Mendez, to make DWI cases disappear in exchange for bribes. Mendez recently pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges related to the scandal, shining a light on the extensive corruption within police departments in the area.
The investigation, which began in January 2024, revealed that officers from the Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and New Mexico State Police were all involved in the scheme. At least a dozen Albuquerque officers have been placed on leave, with many resigning to avoid interviews with internal investigators. Mendez’s guilty plea confirmed that the corruption extended far beyond what was initially reported, with officers receiving cash, free legal services, gift cards, and other benefits for their role in the scheme.
Prosecutors allege that officers from the DWI units actively participated in recruiting and training new officers to continue the corruption, creating a generational cycle of criminal activity within the departments. Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina has vowed to investigate the conspiracy thoroughly, acknowledging that the corruption may have been ongoing for as long as two decades.
The scandal also highlighted questions about Medina’s credibility, as he claimed ignorance of the corruption within the departments despite his long tenure in law enforcement. The involvement of multiple agencies in the scandal, including the sheriff’s office and state police, has raised concerns about the extent of the corruption and the need for greater oversight within law enforcement agencies in New Mexico.
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