ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The lawyer at the center of the “DWI Deception” scandal responded to a court order demanding he explain why he shouldn’t face punishment.

Thomas Clear III says he is no longer an “active” attorney, according to his response to the order. Clear told a judge he hasn’t practiced law in New Mexico’s courts since last summer and that he wants to resign from the State Bar of New Mexico.

Clear is accused of paying officers to intentionally not show up for DWI cases in court so his clients would have their charges dropped.