Public Regulation Commission candidate Jerome Block Jr. on Friday delivered a response to the Secretary of State's Office as to why he lied on a campaign finance report about public money he spent.

But the office refused to let reporters see Block's response Friday, instead promising to release it today.

The embattled Block delivered his written response shortly before 5 p.m. However, spokesmen for Secretary of State Mary Herrera initially said the document wouldn't be released until Monday at the earliest because she and a deputy hadn't had the chance to review the response.

Asked why it was important for the office to review the letter before letting reporters see it, spokesman James Flores said, "We don't want to get inundated with calls about something we haven't seen."

However, later Flores said the response would be released sometime today.

Attempts to get a copy of the response from Block were unsuccessful Friday.

One reporter at the office when Block delivered the letter said Block declined to speak to him.

The director of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, Leonard Delayo Jr., said the letter is a public record as soon as it is received by the office.

"I don't think a review is a proper reason to not release it," DeLayo said. "This excuse that we have to review it first is just garbage. They should release it upon their receipt."

The Secretary of State's Office sent the letter to Block early this week, asking him to "clarify" why he lied about a $2,500 expenditure in public campaign funds. The office also wanted to know Block's explanation for a Sept. 24 e-mail exchange with a Las Vegas Optic reporter in which Block admitted lying.

Block at first said he gave the $2,500 in public funds to San Miguel County Clerk Paul Maez's band, Wyld Country, to perform at a May rally. But he changed his story last month after two band members said no such performance occurred.

At stake could be the seat Block hopes to win in November. Under the state Voter Action Act, violation of the statutes mentioned in the secretary of state's letter constitute a fourth-degree felony, and — should matter go to trial and result in a conviction — could strip Block of his right to vote.

The law also says a candidate who violates the Voter Action Act could face a civil penalty of $10,000 per violation and could be required to pay back all campaign funds. Between the primary and general-election races, Block has received $101,000 in state money.

The letter from the Secretary of State's Office also says candidates are supposed to return all unused public campaign money to the secretary of state within 30 days. After the story broke in newspapers last month, Block returned the $2,500.

Block in June won a six-way primary with 23 percent of the vote and faces Green Party member Rick Lass in the Nov. 4 general election.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com. Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com.