DWI Deception: Federal judge files order to punish attorney in investigation
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – There’s a new wrinkle in the DWI Deception investigation Thursday night. It doesn’t come from Albuquerque police or federal prosecutors, it’s from a federal judge.
Judge Kenneth Gonzales filed an order in federal district court. It tells attorney Thomas Clear III he could get punished, even disbarred, for his alleged role in a scheme to pay police and deputies to skip court hearings in his clients’ DWI cases.
Clear III’s former paralegal and private investigator, Rick Mendez, pleaded guilty last week, saying he was part of a plan to get Albuquerque police, Bernalillo County deputies and New Mexico State Police officers to skip hearings for cash, hotel rooms, gift cards and more.
Clear III has 30 days to write to the court showing why he should not be disciplined.
KOB 4 reached out to him and will let you know if we hear back.