FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) - A suspended New Mexico judge accused of secretly recording private conversations at a courthouse pleaded not guilty to charges filed by the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office.
The Daily Times reported (https://bit.ly/2wsQwDh ) on Thursday that Aztec Magistrate Court Judge Connie Johnston is facing 12 charges of interference with communications and one charge of violating the Governmental Conduct Act.
A jury trial is scheduled for early December in Aztec district court. Johnston also has a second criminal case pending for a contempt-of-court charge filed by the San Juan County District Attorney’s Office. A hearing has not been scheduled for that case.
Johnston is accused of recording conversations of staff with some involving attorney-client privilege.
The New Mexico Supreme Court previously suspended Johnston without pay.
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Information from: The Daily Times, https://www.daily-times.com
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