The Latest: Jury picked in lawmaker's corruption trial

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The Latest on the trial of former New Mexico state Sen. Phil Griego (all times local): 5:40 p.m. A jury has been selected in the trial of former New Mexico state Sen. Phil Griego on accusations he used his elected position to profit from the sale of a state-owned building. Twelve jurors and four alternates were selected Monday for the trial at state district court in Santa Fe. Griego has pleaded not guilty in response to eight charges that include bribery, fraud, perjury, unlawful interest in a public contract and violation of ethical principles of service. The 69-year-old defendant resigned from the Legislature in 2015 after a Senate Ethics Committee investigation cited apparent violations of state constitutional provisions and a Senate ethics code. ___ 10:00 a.m. Jury selection has begun in the trial of former state Sen. Phil Griego on corruption charges tied to the sale of a state building in 2014. Scores of potential jurors arrived Monday at a state district courthouse in Santa Fe as Attorney General Hector Balderas pressed forward with eight criminal charges against the former Democratic lawmaker from San Jose. Griego is denying allegations that he used his former position as a state legislator to earn a $50,000 commission on the sale of a state building in downtown Santa Fe to owners of an upscale inn. Opening arguments may take place as soon as Tuesday. Griego resigned from the Legislature in the wake of a Senate Ethics Commission investigation that outlined conflicts with Senate rules and state constitutional provisions.