Block accused of election, money crimes

SANTA FE (KRQE) - A grand jury Monday indicted Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block Jr. and his father for election violations with Block also accused of embezzling from his publicly funded campaign.

The younger Block was indicted on eight counts, including violating state election laws, tampering with evidence, conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence and embezzlement.

His father, Jerome Block, was indicted on four counts, including violating state election laws, tampering with evidence and conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence.

If convicted, he faces up to 36 years in prison.

The younger Block defeated Green Party candidate Rick Lass in last November's general election, but his campaign was accused of paying a band that never played at a campaign event, but claiming it did. He was also accused of using campaign money to help pay off Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign debt.

He had to pay $21,700 in penalties to the secretary of state for lying on a campaign finance report and misusing public campaign funds.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.