NEWS
sa国际传媒官网网页入口 City Council president raises alarm over alleged 鈥榗onflict of interest鈥 involving city attorney
Councilor asks for independent investigation by Inspector General, while legal department stays mum
sa国际传媒官网网页入口 City Council President Brook Bassan has called for an investigation into the City Attorney for an alleged conflict of interest.
According to Bassan, City Attorney Lauren Keefe recused herself from a lawsuit between the City Council and Mayor鈥檚 Office, but proceeded to secretly help Mayor Tim Keller鈥檚 outside counsel.
鈥淚n my personal life, if I hired a lawyer to represent me and then found out that that same lawyer told me I can't work for you, and then worked for somebody else to actually turn around and sue me directly 鈥 I would have a serious problem with ever retaining that lawyer again in the future,鈥 Bassan said Tuesday.
Bassan claims that, if true, Keefe鈥檚 actions break City Charter code and could amount to a fireable offense.
Keefe did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.
The episode began in February with a disagreement between the council and Mayor鈥檚 Office over paramedic staffing on sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Fire Rescue ambulances, according to a document filed Friday.
After the City Council passed a resolution to ensure that there are two paramedics aboard each ambulance, lawyers representing the mayor filed multiple legal complaints against the City Council. Those lawsuits allege that the legislation interfered with labor union negotiations and was an overstep into the mayor鈥檚 authority over staffing.
As a result, both parties secured legal representation outside of the City Attorney鈥檚 office, as is required for conflicts between the two branches of government. However, Bassan believes that Keefe has continued to work with Mayor Keller鈥檚 outside counsel by participating in meetings, and drafting and reviewing legal documents.
Bassan said she made the discovery of potential misconduct when inquiring about records involving the mayor鈥檚 outside legal expenses.
鈥淚 feel like we found this information essentially by accident,鈥 Bassan said.
Though she wouldn鈥檛 go into specifics, Bassan said what she found prompted 鈥渟erious concerns.鈥
Bassan鈥檚 request will go before the council in the new year. Then the council will vote on whether to formally and collectively ask the Inspector General and City Auditor for an investigation into Keefe鈥檚 conduct.
KEEP READING
-
IN REVIEW: To be felt, not read 鈥 鈥楶aper Trails: Unfolding Indigenous Narratives鈥 at IAIA MoCNA
-
As gas prices climb, New Mexicans adjust to a costlier commute
-
How warmer winters are affecting the Carson National Forest
-
Candle Cafe in sa国际传媒官网网页入口 serves up scents that look good enough to eat
-
Rio Grande could dry up in sa国际传媒官网网页入口 for third time in 40 years