The Secretary of State's Office today released the letter it sent to Public Regulation Commission candidate Jerome Block Jr., asking him to "clarify" why he lied about a $2,500 expenditure in public campaign funds.

Block at first said he gave the money to San Miguel County Clerk Paul Maez's band, Wyld Country, to perform at a May rally. But he later told the Las Vegas Optic's David Giuliani that he lied, after two band members said there was no such performance.

The office sent Block the letter Saturday and it requires him to respond no later than 5 p.m.. Friday.

Here is the letter:



October 4, 2008



Mr. Jerome D. Block

1308 Lejano Lane

Santa Fe, NM 87501



Dear Mr. Block:

Please be advised that we are conducting a preliminary inquiry to determine the propriety of an investigation. Contained within the documentation we have to date, there appears to be conflicting information. E-mail correspondence between yourself and David Giuliani of the Las Vegas Optic dated September 24, 2008, implies that your were untruthful about money you spent from the Public Election Fund toward an expenditure in your campaign. We hereby give you the opportunity to clarify the information contained within this particular correspondence and ask that you advise us accordingly in writing. In the event that possible irregularities exist with other expenditures related to the Public Education Fund and your Public Regulation Commission District 3 Campaign Reports, we will appreciate your information in writing as well.

Be advised that pursuant to Section 1-2-2 (E) NMSA 1978, the Secretary of State's Office shall "report possible violations of Election Code of which the secretary of state has knowledge to the district attorney or the attorney general for prosecution" and Section 1-19-34.6(A) NMSA 1978, "If the secretary of state reasonably believes that a person committed or is about to commit, a violation of the campaign reporting act (1-19-25 NMSA 1978), the secretary of state shall refer the matter refer the matter to the attorney general or a district attorney for enforcement." In addition, Section 1-19A-9(D) NMSA 1978, "Certified candidates shall report expenditures according to the campaign reporting requirements specified in the Election Code (1-1-1 NMSA 1978)" and Section 1-19A-7(D) NMSA 1978, "A certified candidate shall return to the secretary, within 30 days after the primary election, any amount of money that is unspent or unencumbered by the date of the primary election for direct deposit into the fund."

Your response is required no later that Friday, October 10, 2008 by 5:00 PM. If you have any questions, I may be reached at 575.741.0909.

Sincerely,

Don Francisco Trujillo II

Deputy Secretary of State