Dona Ana treasurer convicted; allegedly made offer to worker

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Dona Ana County Treasurer David Gutierrez has been convicted of public corruption and gross immorality for allegedly offering $2,000 to a female office employee to have sex with him. Prosecutors say the District Court jury verdict Wednesday means Gutierrez has been effectively removed from office. Gutierrez testified that what he said to the employee was a compliment, not a sexual proposition. District Attorney Mark D'Antonio applauded the jury's decision, saying that Gutierrez has been held accountable for abusing his office. The Las Cruces Sun-News (https://goo.gl/85tcjc ) reports that defense attorney Jose Coronado expressed disappointment with the verdict and aid an appeal is possible. Gutierrez was entering the last month of his final term in office when the trial began Tuesday. Term limits barred him from running for re-election this year.