By Associated Press - Friday, September 20, 2019

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (AP) - The fire chief of a New Mexico city hit by corruption in recent years has been indicted for embezzlement.

KVIA-TV reports a grand jury in Las Cruces on Thursday indicted Sunland Park Fire Chief Andres Burciaga Jr. for allegedly embezzling more than $500.

According to court documents, Burciaga is accused of driving his work vehicle for personal use. Documents say Burciaga told an investigator he twice drove a work vehicle to his goat ranch in Texas for emergencies only.



But authorities say during a one-month period this year his vehicle logged more than 2,200 miles.

It’s not known if Burciaga had an attorney who could comment on the allegations.

In 2015, a former Sunland Park pro tem mayor pleaded guilty to secretly recording a political rival receiving a lap dance.

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