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

The letter gives Block a chance to explain his Sept. 24 e-mail exchange with the Las Vegas Optic's David Giuliani, in which Block admitted lying, and lays out what could happen if the Secretary of State's Office decides a law was broken — specifically, the case would get forwarded to the Attorney General's Office for "enforcement."

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.

State law says, "When a voter has been convicted of a felony, the voter's registration shall be canceled."

"The domino deal is you have to be a registered voter to hold office," James Flores, Secretary of State's Office spokesman, said Monday.

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.

Flores said he didn't know whether any investigation would wrap up before Election Day. "I know everyone wants a timeline," he said. "Prudently, we can't do that."

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

The letter also says candidates are supposed to return all unused public campaign money to the secretary of state within 30 days, and in Block's case, with the Democratic primary having been held in June, the deadline has long since passed. He told The New Mexican last week that he had recently returned the $2,500.

Block didn't respond Monday to questions related to the letter, including whether he can meet the Friday deadline or if he has hired a lawyer.

Last week, in response to a question about legal counsel, Block told The New Mexican, "It's a sensitive issue." He added, "I'm looking into what I need to do to protect myself."

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 there was no such performance.

Block 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 Doug Mattson at 986-3087 or dmattson@sfnewmexican.com