For Immediate Release:
June 18, 2021
Contact: Matt Baca — (505) 270-7148
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—Today, Attorney General Balderas announced that jurors in the
Thirteenth Judicial District found former Taxation and Revenue Department Cabinet
Secretary Demesia Padilla guilty of two felony counts. Jurors found beyond a reasonable
doubt that Padilla stole over $25,000 from Harold’s Grading and Trucking, a Bernalillo
business, while she was also acting as cabinet secretary. Padilla acquired this money by
surreptiotusly linking her personal credit card to the business’ checking account.
“Small businesses are undoubtedly the lifeblood of New Mexico’s economy and should
not be stifled by internal corruption,” said Attorney General Balderas. “We are pleased to
secure justice for the significant economic harm to the victims, and we will hold any person
in a position of power accountable for unlawful conduct.”
The Court will sentence Padilla at a later date. These cases were both investigated and
prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General.