Penalty for '10 judge candidates upheld

Associated Press

Updated: Apr 13, 2012 2:54 PM

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's highest court has upheld a $2,000 fine imposed on a state Court of Appeals candidate two years ago for violating a law for public financing of campaigns.

The state Supreme Court said then-Secretary of State Mary Herrera was justified in imposing the civil penalty on Dennis Montoya, who lost a bid for the Democratic nomination for the Court of Appeals in 2010.

Appellate court candidates were eligible for public financing for the first time in 2010.

Herrera determined that Montoya violated campaign finance reporting requirements and that his donation of $11,000 to his campaign exceeded a $5,000 limit on "seed money" for candidates trying to qualify for public money.

The Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed a district judge's ruling in favor of Herrera's actions.

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