LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A Mesilla businessman has been indicted for allegedly lying about where he lived so he could run in municipal elections.
A grand jury indicted 66-year-old Christopher L. Alexander earlier this month on felony counts of making a false statement in a candidacy declaration and falsely swearing to an oath in a municipal election.
Alexander also faces a count of interference with the conduct of a municipal election.
The owner of Ristramnn Chile Co. will have a plea hearing Jan. 4.
State investigators say Alexander lives at a Las Cruces address but listed a Mesilla museum owned by his deceased mother as a residence.
Alexander says the charges are based on others trying to get back at him for "political reasons."