SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A well-known Santa Fe physician arrested for soliciting a prostitute in Albuquerque is now facing a cocaine-trafficking charge. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that Richard Lieberman was indicted last month with the second-degree felony drug-trafficking count as well as the misdemeanor of patronizing a prostitute. His attorney says Lieberman will plead not guilty, adding that the 63-year-old doctor is in rehab.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Authorities say a New Mexico state police officer is under investigation for taking a cell phone photo of a man shot and killed by state police. KOB-TV reports that New Mexico State Police Chief Robert Shilling has apologized for the actions of the unnamed officer. A photo depicting the body of Sam Pauly who was fatally shot by state police in October his Glorieta home was recently sent to KOB-TV. State police shot Pauly after reports of a road rage complaint.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The state Law Enforcement Academy board has suspended the certification of Mora County Sheriff Thomas Garza. KRQE-TV reports that the board recently moved to suspend suspended Garza's law-enforcement certification for four months and put him on probation for a year following a run-in with a deputy over a drunken-driving arrest.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The attorney for a former Albuquerque real estate executive who pleaded guilty to a $75 million fraud scheme says prosecutors reneged on two key terms of his plea deal -- one day before his scheduled sentencing. Doug Vaughan is scheduled to be sentenced this afternoon in federal court in Santa Fe. The U.S. Attorney says a response would be filed before Vaughan's sentencing.
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