LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Allegations of misconduct by city attorney debunked
Inspector general investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing
Published
Modified
An investigation by the Office of the Inspector General released Friday found that the city attorney did not demonstrate a conflict of interest while advising Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller.
In December, then-City Council President Brook Bassan alleged that City Attorney Lauren Keefe declined to advise the City Council in a lawsuit between the council and the Mayor鈥檚 Office. Instead of taking a neutral stance with both parties, Bassan alleged that Keefe had actively helped the mayor鈥檚 attorneys strategize against the council.
Bassan called the actions 鈥� if proven 鈥� a fireable offense.
However, according to the findings of a special investigation released by interim Inspector General Peter Pacheco, investigators found no 鈥渧iolation of law, city ordinance, policy or the rules of professional conduct.鈥�
鈥淭his report confirms what I鈥檝e said all along, I took the proper steps to protect all parties, comply with my ethical obligations and uphold the interests of the City of Albuquerque,鈥� Keefe said in a statement Tuesday.
Bassan could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday.
The investigation was conducted by the Jennings Haug Keller McLeod Lawyers, a law firm that has offices in Albuquerque, Denver, Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. The outside law firm was chosen to serve as an unbiased investigator in the case.
Ultimately, though the firm found no evidence of wrongdoing, it recommended the city attorney routinely brief officials about the expectations and limitations of the city鈥檚 primary legal representative.
鈥淭he Office of Inspector General adopted those findings and concluded there is no basis for the City Attorney's removal,鈥� city spokesperson Dan Mayfield said in a statement Monday. 鈥淲e appreciate the thorough and independent review and are pleased the report resolves these allegations based on the facts.鈥�
Gillian Barkhurst is a general assignment reporter for the Journal. She can be reached at gbarkhurst@abqjournal.com.
