In a shocking development, corrupt cops in Albuquerque, New Mexico, have been exposed in a DWI extortion scheme in cahoots with a local attorney. This scandal has attracted the attention of the Justice Department, highlighting the critical need for transparency and accountability in law enforcement.
The illicit collaboration between the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) and the attorney involves extorting money from residents accused of driving while intoxicated. The story came to light through the case of Carlos Smith, who was subjected to unnecessary arrest after a routine traffic stop by Officer Joshua Montaño.
Following a series of field sobriety tests, despite blowing below the legal limit on two breathalyzer tests, Smith found himself arrested for DWI. To make matters worse, the next day, Officer Montaño contacted Smith about missing jewelry, leading him to an attorney named Thomas Clear.
Upon visiting Clear’s office, Smith was promised a dismissal of his DWI case in exchange for a hefty sum of $8,500, a clear breach of legal ethics. Further investigations revealed almost 200 DWI cases dismissed due to concerns about officers’ credibility, including another suspicious incident where a court employee was directed to involve Clear to make the charges vanish.
The DWI scheme’s modus operandi involved officers making arrests, directing victims to the attorney for case dismissal promises in exchange for payment, and failing to show up in court, resulting in case dismissals. The severity of the situation has drawn attention from the FBI, ACLU, and legal oversight agencies, signifying a potential systemic problem within the APD.
If proven true, this scandal emphasizes the urgent necessity for accountability and integrity in law enforcement. It sheds light on the abuse of power and manipulation by those entrusted to uphold justice and protect the community, warranting thorough investigation and decisive action to restore public trust in the justice system.
