ALBUQUERQUE — Secretary of State Dianna Duran pleaded guilty to embezzlement and other charges Friday after abruptly resigning amid a fraud investigation that alleged she siphoned thousands of dollars from her election account to help fuel her gambling addiction.
In a packed Santa Fe District courtroom, Duran pleaded guilty to felony embezzlement charges and four misdemeanors. Sentencing is set for Dec. 14. A judge ruled that Duran can withdraw her guilty pleas if prison time is imposed.
Under the agreement, the state would agree to a suspended sentence if Duran agreed to not enter any casinos and to undergo treatment for gambling addiction. It also calls for her to pay $14,000 in restitution to campaign donors.
“I now realize some of my choices were not healthy and I will be seeking the appropriate professional help,” Duran told reporters. “I want it to be completely clear to all New Mexicans that at no time did I ever do anything in my official capacity as secretary of state that would jeopardize the integrity of the office.”
