ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Albuquerque City Councilors briefed on a recent scathing state audit that uncovered a cozy relationship involving a former police chief and Taser International expressed varied opinions on the review Monday.
One said she wants to examine the city’s procurement codes, while another questioned how much disclosure is necessary by city officials and employees who might work as contractors.
Two councilors last year requested a review after becoming concerned about a nearly $2 million no-bid contract for body cameras and video-storage software awarded to Arizona-based Taser. Councilors Ken Sanchez and Klarissa Pena have said the city’s procurement and employment policies need to be toughened.
State Auditor Tim Keller briefed elected officials at Monday’s City Council meeting on the yearlong review that found a disregard and circumventing of the city’s process for competitive contracts. He urged the city to require the highest level of disclosure.
Keller has said Albuquerque’s former police chief, Ray Schultz, likely violated city and state ethics laws in accepting a job with Taser and having overlapping jobs. But whether Schultz can be prosecuted may depend on the legal question of whether his consulting amounted to employment by and representation of Taser, Keller said.
Schultz is now assistant police chief in Memorial Villages, Texas. His attorney, Luis Robles, has said Schultz didn’t do anything wrong, adding that the city budget office led the procurement process and his successor made the final decision to award the contract.
Councilor Trudy Jones said many in the city make a living as contractors and asked Keller at what point does disclosure become necessary.
“I think you draw the line when the contract is a no-bid contract,” responded Keller, suggesting that perhaps a full-time employee should face more scrutiny about outside work than a part-time employee. “I see no downside to asking for as much disclosure as you can.”
Keller told reporters last week during the release of his review that Schultz gave Taser an unfair advantage for the 2013 contract in the final days of his tenure with the city, even sending a Taser salesman an email saying the process was “greased.”
Speakers urged the council to crack down on corruption.
“Quit giving people the opportunity to get greased,” Nora Anaya, 64, an Albuquerque resident, told councilors.
District Attorney Kari Brandenburg and Attorney General Hector Balderas’ offices are reviewing the results of Keller’s audit and will decide whether to file criminal charges.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.