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Albuquerque Police Corruption Scheme Foiled
Who Watches the Watchmen? Police Fail to Investigate Their Own Corruption
A recent lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU) has put a glaring spotlight on the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), embroiling the city and its police force in a storm of scandal.
The suit alleges that officers in the DWI Unit were part of a scheme involving local attorneys to drop charges in exchange for bribes.
The lawsuit claims this illicit practice has persisted for five years, shaking the trust of the public in its law enforcement.
A Corruption Scheme Uncovered
The lawsuit, filed late Monday, paints a troubling picture.
One of the victims, Carlos Sandoval-Smith, alleges he lost his business, home, and dignity after becoming ensnared in the corrupt practices of the APD.
Officers allegedly collaborated with a local attorney, directing defendants to a specific legal office, where payments of up to $7,500 were demanded to have DWI charges dismissed.
Sandoval-Smith’s story is echoed by dozens of others, all claiming to have been “victimized” by a system meant to protect them.
“This lawsuit isn’t just about getting justice for me,” Sandoval-Smith said in a statement, “it’s about stopping this abuse so no one else has to suffer the way I did.” His ordeal, which allegedly started after a routine traffic stop, ended with him being strong-armed into paying thousands to dodge what appears to be baseless charges.
Scandals Continue to Mount
This isn’t just an internal crisis for the police department—it’s now a federal issue.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched its own inquiry into the conduct of the DWI Unit.
While Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina had taken steps to address the scandal, including firing one commander and launching an internal investigation, critics argue it’s too little, too late. The ACLU’s lawsuit argues that the department failed to properly investigate the allegations until federal authorities intervened.
The suit states that in June 2022, federal officials first informed the police department about an officer attempting to extort $10,000 from a defendant. Despite the glaring misconduct, it wasn’t until December that the department’s own Criminal Intelligence Unit began looking into allegations of bribery and collaboration with local attorneys.
Will Anyone Face Jail Time?
With a federal investigation ongoing, the biggest question remains: Will anyone be held accountable? As of now, no charges have been filed, leaving many wondering whether the individuals involved will ever face justice.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will determine if federal laws were violated, but with top officials implicated and numerous officers already resigning, the fallout is far from over.
Maria Martinez Sanchez, the ACLU’s legal director, has called for sweeping reforms to dismantle what she describes as “systemic corruption” within the Albuquerque Police Department.
The civil rights group hopes the lawsuit will force the city and law enforcement to confront the deep-seated issues within their ranks and prevent such abuses in the future.
Federal Authorities Step In as Albuquerque Struggles to Clean House
The police department insists it has cooperated with federal authorities from the start. A spokesperson for the APD said, “Chief Medina opened the internal investigation to ensure a complete inquiry that will hold all those involved accountable.” Despite these assurances, the lawsuit suggests that the city’s leadership only acted after federal authorities brought the alleged corruption to light.
For Albuquerque, this scandal is more than just a black eye—it’s a question of public trust.
If police officers can be bribed to throw out cases, how deep does the rot go?
As federal and internal investigations continue, Albuquerque residents are left asking: Who will pay the price for this scheme, and will justice finally be served?
The Aftermath of the APD’s DWI Bribery Scheme
With multiple resignations, firings, and dozens of DWI cases dismissed, the fallout from this scandal is still unfolding. The ACLU’s lawsuit aims to push for broader accountability and reform within the Albuquerque Police Department, but the road ahead remains uncertain. For Sandoval-Smith and others like him, this lawsuit represents a fight for justice and a chance to hold the very people who are supposed to uphold the law accountable for their actions.
1st reported by the AP
