Op-Ed: Martinez Administration’s Motto: Do As I Say, Not As I Do
April 25, 2014
Op-Ed Submitted by Senate Majority Leader Michael S. Sanchez (D-29-Bernalillo & Valencia)
Santa Fe, NM – What happens when there are “moderate to significant levels of non-compliance with state payments rules and regulations” and “deficiencies in accuracy of documentation?” If you’re a behavioral health provider in New Mexico, you’re likely to be accused of criminal wrongdoing and your business will be taken over by an Arizona company. But if you’re Governor Martinez’s chief of staff, nothing much will happen to you.
The language quoted above is from the executive summary of the audit of 15 New Mexico behavioral health companies, most of which were forced out of business by the Martinez administration. Yet, no serious disciplinary action has been taken against chief-of-staff Keith Gardner for using a government issued credit card for personal purchases.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, Gardner charged nearly $5000 since August 2012 for more than 40 card purchases, clearly in violation of state policies and procedures. Although he reimbursed the state, his payments were often made one to three months later and most were submitted without receipts, thereby making it impossible to review the transactions. He also avoided the taxes and interest on some of the purchases that the rest of us without a state credit card would have to pay.
Mr. Gardner has tried to explain away the violations by claiming that it isn’t uncommon for a private sector employee to use a company credit card for personal purchases and then reimburse the company. But his claim isn’t based on any company’s practices that I’m aware of. For those few companies that allow such practices, I can’t imagine they wouldn’t demand timely and fully documented reimbursements.
When a former member of the state Public Regulation Commission was caught making questionable purchases with his state-issued credit card, it resulted in his pleading guilty to felony charges, as well as serving jail time. But as things typically play out under the Martinez administration, Gardner and other members of her inner circle avoid getting any meaningful punishment or even a slap on the wrist for their inappropriate behavior.
The Journal’s revelation is only the latest example of what happens behind the curtain of the “most transparent administration” in our history. Released recordings of Martinez and her staff show the blatant disrespect for New Mexico’s diversity, educators, women, lawmakers and the developmentally disabled.
Gardner himself participated in a vicious verbal attack on former Senate President Pro-tem Tim Jennings; expressed his contempt for Roswell, his hometown; detailed how to “skirt public records demands by using private email”; and used physical threats against a female lobbyist who opposed the governor’s bill. But again, when Martinez was made aware of the incidents, nothing was done.
The double standard and hypocrisy that is so prevalent in the Martinez administration needs to be challenged. The public would be well-served if an independent investigation would be conducted into Gardner’s personal use of the state-issued credit card. Maybe then real accountability and transparency will be possible.
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