LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — A former northern New Mexico mayor has been convicted on two felony counts of public corruption. Tonita Gurule-Giron faces up three years in prison. A sentencing date hasn't been set.
A jury found her guilty Thursday of one count of receiving illegal kickbacks and one count of ethics violations. Prosecutors had accused her of using her position as mayor of Las Vegas to give her then-boyfriend city contracts in exchange for kickbacks.
Her attorney told jurors in opening arguments that the only thing she did wrong was to be in a bad relationship.