The New Mexico secretary of state Monday told an Albuquerque nonprofit group that sent out mailers criticizing the records of several legislators that the group is a "political committee" under state law and must comply with campaign finance laws.

In a letter to New Mexico Youth Organized, Secretary of State Mary Herrera gave the group until Sept. 2 to register as a political action committee and file campaign finance reports.

But the matter looks like it could end up in court. Eli Il Yong Lee, executive director of the Center for Civic Policy, which is the parent organization of NMYO, said in an e-mail statement that his group strongly disagrees with the decision. "We will pursue all legal remedies at our disposal," Lee said.

NMYO was named in a lawsuit by state Sens. Shannon Robinson and James Taylor and state Rep. Dan Silva, who were defeated in the Democratic primary in June. The suit seeks to overturn the election.

The three lawmakers were criticized in NMYO mailers for campaign contributions from lobbyists and corporations.

NMYO and the Center for Civic Policy deny they are political organizations and said the mailers were "educational" in nature and distributed to make legislators accountable.

"With our educational mailings, we upheld our responsibility to make sure New Mexicans knew what actions have been taken on issues important to them by their elected officials," Lee said in his statement. "Any effort to restrict this legal activity would muzzle New Mexico nonprofits from doing the very important job of keeping public officials accountable. Public information is just that ... public. Any attempt to hide this kind of information is not in the interests of the people of New Mexico. It is surprising that any public official would actually advocate for this irresponsible course of action."

Robinson has been especially vocal in denouncing the mailers and those behind them. In an angry speech on the Senate floor last week, Robinson claimed that NMYO and CCP are trying to keep their contributors secret because billionaire George Soros is the main contributor.

CCP officials have denied Soros is a donor. Although the group has refused to release the name of individual donors, last week it released a list of the foundations that contributed.

Those are: Panta Rhea Foundation, $110,000; McKay Foundation, $102,000; McCune Foundation, $100,000; Western Conservation Foundation, $90,000; New Mexico Community Foundation, $52,500; Carnegie Corp., $50,000; Tides Foundation, $50,000; General Service Foundation, $35,000; Angelica Foundation, $10,000; Beldon Fund, $7,500; Santa Fe Community Foundation, $5,000; Brett Family Fund, $3,000; and Fiduciary Trust, $2,500.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com.