A lawsuit was filed by three Edgewood residents in Santa Fe County District Court on March 2, 2020, against John Bassett (as an individual and as mayor) for fraud against taxpayers and nepotism. The action included a request for a Writ of Mandamus that would require town officials to enforce town ordinances, specifically the nepotism ordinance.
Despite adequate notice and ample time, neither Bassett or the town responded to the lawsuit. The only action taken by the town, on September 3, 2020, was a vote to not intervene in the case. In October 2020, the court entered default and summary judgments against Bassett for malfeasance in office (fraud against the taxpayer, and violation of the town’s nepotism ordinance). Consequently, Bassett became ineligible to serve as mayor.
The court actions continue, including an appeal by Bassett to the New Mexico Supreme Court. Links to each successive action (in ascending date order) are below:
2020-03.02 Complaint.1st Amended – eFiled Lawsuit
2020-10.14 ORDER.Default Judgment against Bassett
2020-10.15 ORDER.Summary Judgment.Count 2 John Bassett
2020-10.27 VIDEO – First District Court Santa Fe County – Edgewood Attempt to Overturn Court Order
2020-10.29 Writ.Execution.John Bassett
2020-10.30 ORDER.Intervene and Strike
2020-11.10 VIDEO – Contempt of Court Hearing against John Bassett and Marcus Rael (part 1) and Contempt of Court Hearing part 2
