May 24 – The State Ethics Commission filed a lawsuit Friday against a dark money political group and its founder, former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeff Apodaca, seeking to compel disclosure of the group’s expenses and contributors.
Apodaca founded the New Mexico Project in September to support “pro-moderate” and “pro-business” Democratic congressional candidates in the June 4 primary.
The lawsuit alleges that Apodaca “falsely maintains” that the New Mexico Project is not required to disclose its donors. Apodaca is mistaken, the lawsuit states.
“The Campaign Reporting Act requires TNMP to provide New Mexicans with basic information about the sources of the money TNMP uses to influence their votes,” the lawsuit states, adding that the commission is bringing the complaint to enforce the political group’s compliance to enforce.
The law requires disclosure of total independent expenditures above $1,000 in non-state elections, including the source of contributions that financed the expenditures, according to a news release.
“TNMP has made over $1,000 dollars in independent expenditures in support of specific ‘pro-moderate’ and ‘pro-business’ candidates, but has failed to register as a political committee or make any disclosures regarding that independent expenses,” the press release said. .
Apodaca did not immediately return a message seeking comment. He is the son of the former governor. Jerry Apodaca, who died last year. He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2018, coming in a distant second to Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is now serving her second term as governor.
Follow Daniel J. Chacón on Twitter @danieljchacon.
