Ethics board tables scheduling of evidentiary hearing in complaint 2024-003; paperwork not yet exchanged

The Sandoval County Ethics Board discussed and tabled setting a final date for an evidentiary hearing in complaint 2024-003 at its June 2 meeting, citing uncompleted prehearing paperwork and the need for in-person attendance by board members and the compliance officer.

The board heard background from staff that a preliminary hearing had already recommended the matter proceed to an evidentiary hearing and that an earlier scheduling order was now obsolete because required prehearing disclosures had not been exchanged. A staff member summarized the expected structure and length of the hearing, saying it typically runs "approximately a 2 and a half or 3 hour process." The compliance officer, Luis Robles, confirmed that the paperwork required by the scheduling order was not submitted: when asked whether none of that paperwork had been submitted, Robles answered, "Yes, you are correct." Board members said the lack of exchanged documents was in part due to resignations that interrupted the earlier schedule.

Board members discussed potential dates in mid- to late July, including July 21 and July 28, and the chair noted that past hearings had begun at 1 p.m. to allow sufficient time in the afternoon. The board clarified that, under its rules, evidentiary hearings require in-person attendance by board members. Because availability of a quorum and the compliance officer is essential, the board voted to table choosing a final date and directed the board secretary to coordinate schedules and set the hearing for a date in late July or thereafter when a quorum and the compliance officer are available.

A motion to table the date until the secretary could identify a date that worked for board members and the compliance officer carried with no nays recorded. The board did not adopt a specific new hearing date at the meeting.