Albuquerque Attorney and Ex-Officers Convicted in Major DWI Kickback Scheme
An Albuquerque attorney, Thomas Clear III, has been found guilty of federal charges related to one of New Mexico’s largest kickback schemes, spanning several decades. The ongoing scandal involves Clear’s collusion with Albuquerque police officers to undermine clients’ drunken driving cases in exchange for bribes.
On Wednesday, Clear pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including racketeering and bribery, admitting to orchestrating a covert "DWI enterprise" with active police officers. This illicit arrangement reportedly aimed to swap substantial retainer fees for officers deliberately neglecting their duties, resulting in swift dismissals of DWI cases. Prosecutors have labeled these activities as "generational corruption," implicating officers who not only participated but also actively recruited new members into the scheme.
In the past week, former officers Joshua Montaño, Neill Elsman, and Honorio Alba also pleaded guilty to related federal charges. Each has received recommendations for reduced sentences from prosecutors, following their admissions of wrongdoing. The FBI launched an investigation into the scandal over a year ago, revealing systemic corruption implicating not just the Albuquerque Police Department but potentially officers from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police.
The fallout has seen a dozen officers placed on administrative leave, with many resigning or being fired. Clear, who previously served on the Public Defender Commission, has resigned from the State Bar of New Mexico and faces future sentencing. Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina pledged thorough scrutiny of the department’s history and collaboration with federal authorities to illuminate any further misconduct.
As the investigation continues, the scandal remains a significant moment in New Mexico’s law enforcement history, highlighting the urgent need for accountability within the system.
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