Inspector General: City of Albuquerque violated anti-donation clause

A few months back investigative reporter Larry Barker blew the whistle on the City of Albuquerque paying for a turf field for the Gladiators football team which plays at an arena in Rio Rancho. We heartily agreed with Barker and his assessment and have defended New Mexico’s anti-donation clause (including in a separate lawsuit).

Well, as it turns out Albuquerque’s Inspector General recently found that the turf purchase likely DID violate New Mexico law.  And, the IG says it is NOT just because the turf would have been installed in Rio Rancho, but because it amounts to a “donation” to a private interest (the Gladiators football team).

We welcome the IG’s opinion and hope that it will result in more consistent enforcement of the anti-donation clause.