ALBUQUERQUE (AP) —Former New Mexico stateTreasurer Michael Montoyaadmitted to stealing millionsof dollars while he was inoffice, but now he’s strugglingto pay off a $25,000 fineimposed on him by a federaljudge.

The Albuquerque Journalreports (http://bit.ly/Aozq2p)that there was almost nothingleft of the money Montoyatook by the time the FBIcaught up with him in 2006.

Now out of prison after fin-ishing a 40-month sentence foran extortion conviction,Montoya is out of work,although his wife is working.

So far, he has paid about$8,000 of the fine imposed onhim, but has a balance of justover $17,000.

Although he was ordered topay $700 a month toward thefine, a court filing says that hehas managed that amount just

once, in October 2010.If Montoya gets a job or

starts receiving unemploy-ment benefits, he must informthe probation office or the U.S.Attorney’s Office and submit anew verified financial affi-davit.

The court had been consider-ing whether Montoya wascomplying with the conditionsof his release.

If he fails to cooperate, hiswages and his wife’s wagesmay be garnished.

In addition to the fine,Montoya was required to for-feit property he bought withthe kickback money and spendfive years on supervisedrelease after getting out ofprison. Restitution, interestand penalties were notimposed at the time the finewas imposed.

Prosecutors had hoped thecourt would give Montoya atleast six years in federal

prison, arguing that he wasthe most culpable of thoseinvolved in a long-running cor-ruption scheme that also tookdown his successor in the trea-surer’s office, Robert Vigil.

But Montoya pleaded guiltywithin two months of hisarrest and testified extensive-ly against others.

That cooperation, includingtestimony at Vigil’s two trials,helped win him a reduced sen-tence.

SUNLAND PARK (AP) —Elections officials in SunlandPark on Friday certified resultsfrom this week’s bizarre elec-tions, but the border town’snewly elected and newly indict-ed mayor may not be able totake office.

Secretary of State DiannaDuran said the law requiresthat all elected city officials besworn in by the city council.That ceremony is scheduledMonday. But Mayor-elect DanielSalinas is barred from going tocity hall or having any contactwith city officials since he wasarrested on extortion charges.

Salinas and City ManagerJaime Aguilera are accused oftrying to force candidateGerardo Hernandez out of therace by secretly recording avideo of him getting a toplesslap dance, then threatening totake the video public.

Salinas’s attorney, Bradley

Sims, had said earlier in the daythat he was hoping to find a wayto have Salinas sworn in atanother location, but Duran,who was in town for the votecanvassing, said there are noexceptions to the rules.

The official canvass showedSalinas won with 644 votes to556 for Hernandez and 66 for athird candidate, Jose LuisHernandez.

Duran said Salinas has up to30 days to go to court to get theterms of his release from jailamended. Sims has said heplans to do that.

At the same time, Hernandezsaid he had found an attorneywho would file an appeal of theelection results on his behalf.

“I am confident that in myappeal it will be shown thatthere was fraud in the votes castduring absentee voting,” hesaid.

Hernandez said he will also

seek to be appointed mayor ifSalinas is unable to be sworn inand the seat is declared empty.

Meanwhile, investigationscontinue into allegations ofwidespread voter fraud in thetown. And the state auditor con-tinues his probe of the city’sfinances.

On Thursday, a third personwas arrested on voting fraudcharges.

Former Sunland Park CityCouncilor Angelica Marquezwas arrested Wednesday andcharged with false voting andconspiring to commit false vot-ing. The 41-year-old was brieflyjailed then released on a $50,000secured bond.

Authorities said Marquez reg-istered to vote four nonresi-dents to vote in last week’smunicipal elections. Two othercity officials have been arrestedin connection to the state votingfraud investigation.

ALL SHOWS BEFORE 6 PM ($6.00) EXCEPT 3D

AACCTT OOFF VVAALLOORR((1111::2200 22::0000 44::3300)) 77::2200 99::4455 ““RR””

**JJOOHHNN CCAARRTTEERR 33DD((1111::2200 22::4455)) 66::0055 ““PPGG1133””

**JJOOHHNN CCAARRTTEERR 22DD99::1155 ““PPGG1133””

**DDRR.. SSEEUUSSSS TTHHEE LLOORRAAXX 33DD((1111::4455 22::2255)) 77::0000 99::0000 ““PPGG””

**DDRR.. SSEEUUSSSS TTHHEE LLOORRAAXX 22DD((44::3300)) ““PPGG””

**JJOOUURRNNEEYY 22 33DD((1111::3300 22::2200 44::4455)) 77::0000 99::3300 ““PPGG””

**SSIILLEENNTT HHOOUUSSEE((1111::4400 22::2200 44::4455)) 77::0000 99::3300 ““RR””

**GGHHOOSSTT RRIIDDEERRSSPPIIRRIITT OOFF VVEENNGGEEAANNCCEE 33DD((1111::2200 22::3300)) 77::1100 99::4400 ““PPGG1133””

GGHHOOSSTT RRIIDDEERRSSPPIIRRIITT OOFF VVEENNGGEEAANNCCEE 22DD

((44::4455))““PPGG1133””

**PPRROOJJEECCTT XX((1111::3300 22::0000 44::1100)) 77::2255 99::3300 ““RR””

NNoo PPaassss,, DDiissccoouunntt oorr GGiifftt TTiicckkeettss oonn ** MMoovviieess

AALLLL 33DD MMOOVVIIEESSMMAATTIINNEEEE AALLLL SSEEAATTSS $$88

EEVVEENNIINNGG $$88 CCHHIILLDD $$1100 AADDUULLTT

BY GE

The Workhorse206 W. Broadway 397-4605

720P 600HZHG TV 51” TV

$69999MICROFIBERSOFA &

LOVESEATRetail $999

$62999BLACK OR BROWN

SET $62999

WASHER$39999

DRYER$29999

LOCAL & STATE 3HOBBS NEWS-SUN • SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2012

T O D AY

Educational retireeesThe Lea County Association of

Educational Retirees will meet atthe Lea County Center for the Arts,122 W. Broadway in Hobbs. Lunchis at 11:30. The Hobbs memberswill be providing the food anddrink for this gathering. CarolHammond, recently retired direc-tor of the Center, will present theprogram, in which she will high-light the history of theCommission and the work of theartist of the month. All Lea Countyretired educators and their spous-es are invited to attend.

Lovington VFW danceThe Lovington VFW dance, one

mile north of Lovington on theTatum Highway, will be from 7-9:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per personwith potluck refreshments. TheClass Act will play.

Open houseHobbs Masonic Lodge, 2400 N.

Jefferson, by the Scottish Rite is hav-ing an open house from 9-11 a.m.

S U N D AY

Southwest SymphonySouthwest Symphony Orchestra

will feature Lisa Liu fresh off her

recent tour with Josh Groban atFirst United Methodist Church.

Jewish Pioneer exhibit“Jewish Pioneers of New Mexico”will be on display at theScarborough Memorial Libraryon the USW campus, located at6610 N. Lovington Highway inHobbs, throughout the month ofMarch. The 30-panel displaydetails the day-to-day life ofJewish immigrants who arrivedto what would become NewMexico between 1921 and 1917.A public reception will be held atthe Scarborough MemorialLibrary Atrium on March 11, 2012from 2 - 4 p.m. with Dr. NoelPugach, a professor emeritus andhistorian at the University of NewMexico, providing a lecture.

Lea County ArchersThe Lea County Archers will have

their monthly shoot. Start time is8 a.m. Cut off time for signing up1 p.m. The shoot will be held atthe White Hills Archery Range onthe Eunice highway. For moreinformation call James Dean at441-3469 or Jimmy King at 390-0068.

M O N D AY

Lovington CommissionThe Lovington City Commission

will meet at 5:30 p.m. in

Lovington City Hall. This meetingis open to the public.

Lea County Fair BoardThe Lea County Fair Board will

meet at 6 p.m. at the Lea CountyFairgrounds in Lovington.

Women’s golf associationOcotillo women’s golf association

is having its annual sign-up daymeeting from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. atthe Ocotillo Club House, West ofthe Lovington Highwa. They willplay golf after the meeting. Allarea ladies wishing to play golfwith a group of fun ladies areinvited to join. For more informa-tion call Sharon Sagerty at 575-441-7812 or Joyce Tilley at 575-392-4673.

Girls ScoutsThe Girl Scouts will celebrate their

100th anniversary at 11 a.m.-2p.m. at the Girl Scout ProgramCenter, 522 E. Broadway. Therewill be food and then a parade toCity Hall to receive a mayor’sproclamation.

Mark the date

GUIDELINESREADERS ARE WELCOME to sub-

mit items to Mark the Date cal-endar. The event should have alocal connection and be open tothe public. E-mail items to edi-tor@hobbsnews.com.

SUBMITTED PHOTOLea Regional Medical Center staff recently gathered to celebrate passing a TransitionalCare Unit survey. Pictured from left are Dawn Bliss, RN; Sami Harrison, RN; Kirk Roeske,registered dietician; Kathy Sowers, administrator; Veronica Garcia, physical therapist; andKathryn Hoover, occupational therapist.

NEWS-SUN REPORTLea Regional Medical Center’s Transitional

Care Unit recently passed an unannounced andrigorous state recertification survey with fly-ing colors.

The hospital’s TCU is a separately licensedlong-term care unit — also called a skilled nurs-ing facility, which is the same designation givento nursing homes — located within the hospi-tal.

The TCU successfully passed the New MexicoDepartment of Health’s re-survey inspectionwith zero deficiencies in patient care or envi-ronment of care.

“It really demonstrates our commitment toexcellence in providing quality care and ongo-ing compliance with the rigorous standards,”said Tim Thornell, chief executive officer ofLea Regional. “We have an exceptional team ofprofessionals who have a gift for caregiving andenjoy the opportunity to make a difference inthe residents’ lives. Most of the employees inTCU have been there for quite some time, asthey appreciate the work and the environ-ment.”

Lea Regional's TCU provides transitional carefor patients who have completed their acute

stay in the hospital, yet still require round theclock skilled nursing, and other supportivecare before returning home or to other livingarrangements. Because the TCU is part of thehospital, every service provided by the hospitalis available to TCU residents as needed.

“The TCU provides a valuable service topatients by allowing them extra time in the hos-pital to recover from an illness or injury,” saidKathy Sowers, director of the TCU.

Sowers said the team approach to care on theTCU involves the resident and family.

“For each resident, we create a plan to helpthem get back to the best possible health, asquickly as possible,” she said.

Sowers also noted that in her career as anadministrator of skilled nursing facilities andfacilities like Lea Regional's TCU, she has onlyhad the pleasure of a zero deficiency surveyone other time.

Judy Parks, acting director of the DOH’s divi-sion of Health Improvement, said only about 10percent of the state’s facilities receive a zerodeficiency recertification each year.

“I am really glad they can maintain theirstanding and compliance,” Parks said.

Transitional Care Unit getsperfect marks on review

LEA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Sunland Park election results certified

Former N.M. treasurer who stolemillions struggling to pay fine

SANTA FE (AP) — A massivejury pool is expected to begindescending on Santa Fe onFriday to decide between asentence of life or death for aman convicted of killing aBernalillo County deputy.

The state District Court juryclerk’s office mailed out morethan 3,100 jury questionnairesto area residents — anunprecedented number.

Court clerks expect to funnel2,000 potential jurors throughthe Santa Fe CommunityConvention Center on Friday.

Waves of about 500 people

each will be individually inter-viewed throughout the day.

The jury selected will decidewhether to sentence MichaelPaul Astorga to life in prisonor the death penalty for killingDeputy James McGrane Jr.during a traffic stop in 2006.

The jury selection process isexpected to take up to two months.

Judge Neil Candelariaapproved a request byAstorga’s defense attorney,Gary Mitchell, in December tomove the trial to Santa Febecause of fears that Astorgamight not get a fair trial.

Massive jury pool expected for sentencing