Allegations surface about attorney targeted in ongoing federal investigation

Allegations surface about attorney targeted in ongoing federal investigation

There has been yet another development in the ongoing federal investigation into dozens of recently dismissed DWI cases, multiple Albuquerque police officers, and a local attorney.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — There has been yet another development in the ongoing federal investigation into dozens of recently dismissed DWI cases, multiple Albuquerque police officers, and a local attorney.

Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina sent a letter to the Law Offices of the Public Defender Commission Friday, which includes allegations about that local attorney, Thomas Clear III.

KOB 4 named Thomas Clear III days ago after our own research into this case, but this is the first time any top officials are naming him.

The letter claims multiple attorneys in the Public Defender’s Office shared concerns about Thomas Clear III, but upper management ignored them.

“While I cannot speak to the exact nature of these concerns and the specific individuals involved, I understand that the upper management of the LOPD ignored such concerns and did nothing to investigate the activities of then-Chairman Clear,” the chief wrote.

Medina wrote that he hopes the Public Defender’s Office will investigate and hold anyone accountable who was “turning a blind eye.”

Chief Public Defender Ben Baur shared the following statement:

“I’ve seen the letter from APD Chief Medina.  This letter is a self-serving distraction from the ongoing investigation. Chief Medina is responsible for the conduct of his officers. We are responsible to our clients, and are guided by our ethical responsibilities to them, our office and our profession.”