ESTRADA REQUESTS MARTINEZ EMAILS ON DOWNS DEAL IN HIS DEFENSE
Federal prosecutors have charged Jamie Estrada with illegally intercepting emails related to Governor Martinez’ 2010 gubernatorial race, and lying to the FBI on several occasions.
In an April 19, 2014 article in the Santa Fe New Mexican, it was reported that Estrada fired back by requesting the release of emails dealing with the flawed RFP (request for proposal) process used in giving the state fair casino contract to the Albuquerque Downs.
Although the Downs emails were not among the emails listed in the prosecutor’s case against Estrada, his lawyers say that they go to establishing the motives and character of Governor Martinez and her advisors, principally Jay McCleskey.
Estrada forwarded some of the emails on the Downs proposal to opponents of the Downs deal, which have caused many to question the propriety and legality of the whole process.
In the request for the Downs emails, Estrada’s lawyers refer to the emails as information relating to a “…pending criminal investigation into a racino pay-to-play scheme.” This is a pretty obvious reference to the campaign contributions to candidate Martinez from the Albuquerque Downs during the election cycle, and its possible influence on her decision to manipulate the process to award the casino contract to the Albuquerque Downs.
It is clear that the prosecutors feel that Estrada violated the law in intercepting and releasing the emails. It is also clear that Estrada was willing to take some personal risks to blow the whistle on some shady and possibly illegal deals.
Stop Predatory Gambling New Mexico hopes that the trial sheds more light on the hugely flawed and politically motivated RFP that resulted in the Downs casino deal with the state.
