A New Mexico tribe is accusing a former U.S. Attorney of failing to prosecute crimes on Pueblo land.
Pojoaque Pueblo Gov. George Rivera said former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias deserved to be fired by the Bush administration because he wasn't tough on Indian Country crime. He also said interim U.S. Attorney Larry Gomez hasn't taken up the issue either, despite a new law that affirms the federal government's jurisdiction.
Iglesias disputed the claims, calling them "infuriating." He said the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Mexico ranked third in Indian Country prosecutions, behind Arizona -- where another federal prosecutor was fired -- and South Dakota.
Iglesias also noted that he was the one who advocated for the Pueblo jurisdiction bill. It became law with the help of retiring Sen. Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico), who criticized Iglesias' performance despite previously supporting him.
Rivera believes his criticism of the U.S. Attorney's Office has sparked a vendetta by Gomez. Rivera said Gomez is trying to prosecute several tribal members for political reasons and that he plans to file complaints with the Department of Justice and the state Supreme Court.
Get the Story:Iglesias: Pueblo leader's claims 'infuriating' (The Santa Fe New Mexican 10/28)
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