Vigil-Giron fraud trial scheduled

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A Jan. 3 trial is set in Albuquerque for former New Mexico Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron, who was indicted after an investigation into how federal money was spent on a voter education project during her term.

She faces charges of fraud, money laundering, tax fraud, soliciting or receiving an illegal kickback and other counts.

Vigil-Giron, Democratic Party consultant Armando Gutierrez of Corpus Christi, Texas, and lobbyists Elizabeth and Joseph Kupfer of Rio Rancho were indicted last August.

The other three will stand trial with Vigil-Giron before state District Judge Pat Murdoch.

Vigil-Giron said last year she could account "for every last nickel" of federal money spent on the voter education project.

She left office at the end of 2006 after two consecutive terms.