SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Even though impeachment proceedings never got off the ground for former New Mexico Secretary of State Dianna Duran, legislative officials say the price tag for a special committee to begin investigating has topped $17,500 so far.
The officials said Tuesday an attorney hired to brief the committee has been paid more than $14,400 and lawmakers received about $3,110 as per diem and mileage for a Sept. 28 meeting.
The bill could go up since the committee is expected to meet at least once more to close out its business.
Duran resigned and pleaded guilty in October to charges involving the use of campaign donations to fuel a gambling addiction. She was sentenced Monday.
She rebuffed calls for her resignation when she was first charged, and lawmakers responded by establishing the committee to investigate the possibility of impeachment.