April 30, 2018 • Local News
Las Cruces Sun-News: Jones alleges PRC opponent Fischmann took illegal donations
LAS CRUCES - Sandy Jones, the Public Regulation Commissioner for District 5, has alleged that his opponent in the upcoming Democratic primary, Steve Fischmann, has violated campaign laws by accepting donations from those who were involved in previous cases.
Fischmann countered by saying the donations were within the law.
At issue are donations given to Fischmann by Merrie Lee Soules, Allen Downs, Tom Manning and Andy Payne. All have served as intervenors in previous cases before the PRC. Intervenors are described in statute as “a person permitted by the commission or presiding officer to participate as a party in a proceeding.”
New Mexico law prohibits intervenors from making contributions to PRC candidates, Jones alleged in a news release issued Friday.
“Steve Fischmann’s blatant disregard for the law is troubling,” Jones said in a new release. “Voters should be especially concerned about his inability to fairly and impartially rule on regulatory cases that impact the lives of every New Mexican.
“At the NMPRC, we work for consumers, but clearly Mr. Fischmann works for himself.”
The law prohibits "anything of value, either directly or indirectly, from a person whose charges for services to the public are regulated by the commission."
Jones said they were asking the attorney general to look into the situation.
Fischmann said Jones was misinterpreting the statute, which does not apply to intervenors.
“Mr. Jones' charges of campaign violations appear to be reckless and irresponsible,” he said. “Nothing our attorney sees in state law supports his claims of campaign violations.
“I am disappointed that Mr. Jones would besmirch the names of citizens that come before the PRC for the sake of a campaign stunt. They take no pay for their work, have only the public interest at heart and have my highest respect. Mr. Jones owes an immediate apology to Ms. Soules, Mr. Downs, Mr. Manning and Mr. Payne. They are outstanding citizens, all."
Fischmann said his campaign would check with the Secretary of State’s Office to evaluate the situation.
“If our interpretation is wrong, we would be happy to return the contributions and acknowledge an honest mistake,” he said.
Jones and Fischmann are the two Democratic candidates seeking the District 5 seat. Ben L Hall, Joseph Aaron Bizzell and Chris P Mathys are vying for the Republican nomination.
Source: https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/27/jones-alleges-prc-opponent-fischmann-took-illegal-donations/560361002/
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