In an absurd farce and effort to further profit from Town of Edgewood funds, John Bassett operated as mayor despite a court order removing him from office weeks earlier. It’s a very odd situation, where two governing body members (John Abrams and Linda Holle) continue to support Bassett who has no official standing. Bassett was removed from office on October 14 for fraud against the taxpayer and violation of the town’s nepotism ordinance.
WATCH: Ex-Mayor Fights Removal from Office with Taxpayer Funds
At the November 2nd special meeting’s outset, governing body member Sherry Abraham challenged the validity of the meeting, pointing out Bassett had been removed as mayor and there had not been a majority vote of the governing body to hold the special meeting. Bassett refused to acknowledge the procedural abnormality and proceeded to run the meeting. That action brought forward a motion from Abraham, asking Bassett to recuse himself from the meeting and have John Abrams (mayor pro-tem) run the meeting. Bassett again refused.
The entire meeting was orchestrated to obligate town taxpayer funds to benefit John Bassett. Abraham and Councilor Audrey Jaramillo staunchly objected to the motions and voted against each one. Holle and Abrams continued their undying support for Bassett, voting to spend taxpayer dollars to, as Abrams states, “vigorously defend” Bassett and to also encumber the town with legal fees in an effort to avoid enforcing the town’s ordinance.
In a tie vote situation, ordinarily the mayor becomes the deciding vote. In an indisputable conflict of interest, and despite no longer holding office, Bassett cast a vote in favor of using town funds for his own legal defense and to keep the town from enforcing against him the nepotism ordinance he violated.
Attorneys wasted no time to begin gorging on those newly ‘approved’ legal funds. On November 10, no less than seven high-powered attorneys, including a former New Mexico Supreme Court justice, showed up in court (most on the Edgewood taxpayers’ dime). Motions included attempts to overturn Bassett’s removal from office, to fight contempt of court charges against Bassett and the town’s attorney Marcus Rael, and to seek a change of judge.
The court refused to hear most motions, but did clarify that Bassett was removed from office effective October 14.
The legal beagles then switched gears and filed emergency motions with the Supreme Court of New Mexico, which placed a stay while it considers whether or not to hear the case.
Meanwhile, Edgewood taxpayers are being stuck with outrageous legal bills.
WATCH: Edgewood Nov. 2 Special Meeting (Part 1)
WATCH: Edgewood Nov. 2 Special Meeting (Part 2)
