ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department said they have placed two workers on administrative leave after KRQE News 13 uncovered they were both former Albuquerque police officers connected to the federal DWI investigation. Harvey Johnson and Nelson Ortiz resigned from APD last year giving up their badges rather than be interviewed by Internal Affairs. They are among the officers who retired or resigned amid a scandal involving APD officers taking bribes to get DWI cases dropped. None of the officers have been charged.
Related Coverage:
- Former U.S. Attorney speaks out on DWI Unit scandal
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- Top federal prosecutor vows corruption scheme ‘won’t happen again’
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office placed Johnson and Ortiz on the Giglio List which classifies potential court testimony as unreliable. On Thursday, CYFD confirmed Harvey Johnson was a specialist dealing with Native American children. They say Oritz was an investigations caseworker. CYFD said at the time of their hiring, no rules would have prevented their employment.
Several foster parents reached out to KRQE News 13 saying they were concerned the officer could negatively impact their court cases since the officers were deemed unreliable.
Senator Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces) also blasted the hiring in a committee hearing on Wednesday saying it shows a lack of leadership. “It’s inconceivable to me that as hard as things may be at CYFD to recruit, that law enforcement officers can be part of corruption and the consequence is not being fired or their bosses not being fired,” said Sen. Cervantes.
CYFD placed both ex-cops on leave Wednesday. KRQE News 13 wanted to know if CYFD knew they were under federal investigation when they hired both of them. They have not replied.