ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The attorney at the center of a DWI scheme in Albuquerque and a third police officer have pleaded guilty to federal charges in the case.

Court records show Thomas Clear III pleaded guilty Wednesday to nine federal charges. It comes a day after the New Mexico Supreme Court suspended Clear over the DWI Deception investigation.

Neill Elsman, an Albuquerque police officer, also pleaded guilty Wednesday. Elsman, who resigned as internal affairs investigators sought to interview him, is the third APD officer to plead guilty in the case.

Clear’s former paralegal also took a plea agreement, in which he claimed Clear paid law enforcement to get his clients’ DWI cases dismissed.

Clear pleaded guilty to one count of RICO conspiracy and five counts of bribing a police officer. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of using his position to commit extortion and a count for using it to attempt to commit extortion. Aiding and abetting is stipulated in each extortion count. He faces up to 130 years in prison – plus the seizure of the home he operated out of and additional fines.

Elsman pleaded guilty to three counts of receiving a bribe as a police officer. He also pleaded guilty to using his position to commit extortion and to conspire to commit extortion. He faces up to 70 years in prison.

Sentencing dates haven’t been set yet.

“I predicted this conspiracy went on for decades, and sure enough, Tom Clear admitted his bribery scheme dates back to 1995,” APD Chief Harold Medina stated in a press release. “We worked with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to finally expose Tom Clear’s criminal scheme. We also worked internally at APD to hold officers accountable. Ten officers have left the department as a result of our investigation.”

MORE:

• New Mexico Supreme Court suspends attorney involved in DWI scheme
• 2 former APD officers plead guilty in DWI scheme
• Plea deal in federal APD DWI investigation