Gov. staffer hurls foul insults

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The secret audio of Gov. Susana Martinez's Chief of Staff Keith Gardner that caught him saying he doesn't use his state e-mail for anything that could land him in court or jail also recorded him slinging mud at lawmakers and offering jobs to friends.

The hour-long conversation was secretly recorded by a then-friend of Gardner's, then released by Albuquerque attorney Sam Bregman, a Democrat and Martinez critic, in connection to an ongoing personnel case.

It was recorded in October 2011, shortly after the heated special session. Gardner is heard laying into Democratic Senate President Tim Jennings of Roswell.

"I hate those (expletive)," said Gardner. "I hate (expletive) Tim Jennings so bad right now. Oh yeah, I hate him. He's a (expletive) son of a (expletive)."

According to Gardner, the governor wasn't too fond of the legislature or Jennings either.

"She has her days when she said these people are so stupid. She hates Tim Jennings right now, it's so funny."

Gardner is also heard hurling insults at current State Fair Manager and governor-appointee Dan Mourning.

"I'm about to fire that (expletive). I'm so pissed at him. They screwed up. Man, those guys could screw up a wet dream. So many headaches."

Gardner told his firefighter friend on the recording that he might be able to get him that state fair job.

Governor's spokesman Scott Darnell sent the following statement:

"Keith Gardner, Tim Jennings and their families have all known each other for years. The two have been able to work together, even though there have been heated disagreements in private over various policies. Keith is not proud of his language, but this particular private conversation took place a year ago and the two have talked and worked together since then on multiple occasions."

Darnell also said the governor has been called names by legislators, citing an instance when Albuquerque Democrat Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton called Martinez the "Mexican on the 4th floor." But Darnell said "we are moving on and won't allow that to distract us from doing the work the people of New Mexico expect and deserve."

Jennings said he was disappointed by Gardner's comments.

"It's a political world. We all say things sometimes when we put our foot in our mouths. I'm just glad it was his day in the barrel and not mine."

The part of the recording where Gardner mentions he avoids using his state e-mail for anything that could get him in trouble was turned over to the attorney general. The governor has repeatedly denied that her administration uses private e-mail to conduct state business of a controversial nature.