Water Authority investigates Shaun Anaya connection
Posted at: 02/06/2012 7:02 PM
| Updated at: 02/06/2012 8:25 PM
By: Mike Daniels, 4 On Your Side
The Albuquerque Bernalillo Water Utility Authority is looking into whether any of its customer service representatives helped out suspected con-man Shaun Anaya.
Anaya is accused of renting out dozens of foreclosed homes in Albuquerque that are not his. A KOB Eyewitness News 4 Four on Your Side investigation led to his arrest.
Sources tell KOB there is one customer service representative that is at the center of the investigation. KOB is not releasing her as to not jeopardize the investigation.
The water utility confirmed it is in the middle of an internal investigation. "Because of a few bad apples we have to protect the consumers who might have been victimized," said David Morris, a spokesperson for the water utility.
The question many of Shaun Anaya's alleged victims is how is he finding vacant foreclosed homes to rent out?
Albuquerque police officers said they are not his and he does not have any business in them.
“We are conducting an internal investigation and we are cooperating with APD's investigation into Shaun Anaya," Morris went on to say.
There is a ripple effect. The water authority now requires you to bring in more documents when you turn your water on. You must now have a picture ID that matches the county property records for the owner of the property. Of you just bought your house, bring in the closing docs or deed. In the past if you walked in, and pay to have the water turned on at a property they'd do it no questions asked.
“It is adding a lot of time on our end to have them go through all the additional paperwork," Morris admitted.
The state attorney general's consumer protection unit will now prosecute the case against Shaun Anaya.
The Albuquerque Police Department said they have been told in mid-February, the AG’s Office will ask a judge to raise Anaya’s $7,500 cash surety bond.
Anaya remains out on bail.
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