Names of judge applicants is released

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Gov. Bill Richardson's Office released this month the names of the men and women who are interested in the McKinley County judgeship that was abandoned by former Magistrate Rhoda Hunt.

Hunt was in her second term as an elected magistrate court judge when she resigned in December amid allegations of misconduct while on the bench. A FBI investigation revealed Hunt allegedly accepted bribes, which included interest-free loans and credit card payments, in exchange of favorable rulings in her courtroom.

Since Hunt's resignation, the two remaining magistrates, George Galanis and John Carey, have worked to juggle their caseloads while splitting Hunt's cases between themselves.

Jon Goldstein, a communications officer for Gov. Richardson's office, said nine McKinley County residents submitted applications for appointment to the vacant magistrate slot; however, Richardson has yet to schedule interviews with the applicants.

The applicants are:

• Peter Burns
  
• Roxanne Heath
• Kenneth Howard
  
• Patricia Johnson
  
• Carl Lewis, Jr.
  
• Monica Martinez
  
• Michael Patrick Orphey
  
• Frederick "Larry" Price
  
• Christina Isabel Yepez

Richardson will appoint one of the applicants to serve out the remainder of Hunt's term. An election will then be conducted to determine who will serve the next full term.