STATE AUDITOR HECTOR BALDERAS SAYS HE'S FOUND SERIOUS ABUSES OF PUBLIC RESOURCES AND VIOLATIONS OF STATE LAW IN THE BERNALILLO COUNTY TREASURERS OFFICE. THE SPECIAL AUDIT SAYS MORE THAN 900-MILLION DOLLARS IN RECENT INVESTMENTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COUNTY.
AUDITORS FOUND THAT FORMER TREASURER PATRICK PADILLA GAVE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT TO BROKERS WHO SPONSORED HIS GOLF TOURNAMENT. AND THE AUDIT SAYS PADILLA USED A COUNTY EMPLOYEE TO RUN PERSONAL ERRANDS FOR PADILLA'S PRIVATE BUSINESS AND FAMILY.
BALDERAS SAYS HE'LL REFER THE AUDIT REPORT TO GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT AGENCIES.
