Robert E. Vigil (born October 26, 1953) is an American politician from the

U.S. The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

state of

New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Tiguex , OfficialLang = None , Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ke ...

. He was twice elected

New Mexico State Auditor The state auditor of New Mexico is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of New Mexico. Twenty-eight individuals have held the office of state auditor since statehood. The incumbent is Brian Colón, a ...

, serving from 1991 to 1998 and was New Mexico State Treasurer from 2003 until his resignation on October 26, 2005.

Arrest and conviction

Vigil, his predecessor, Michael A. Montoya, and two others were indicted on 28 counts of

extortion Extortion is the practice of obtaining benefit through coercion. In most jurisdictions it is likely to constitute a criminal offence; the bulk of this article deals with such cases. Robbery is the simplest and most common form of extortion, ...

, money laundering and racketeering by a federal jury. Vigil's first trial ended in a

hung jury A hung jury, also called a deadlocked jury, is a judicial jury that cannot agree upon a verdict after extended deliberation and is unable to reach the required unanimity or supermajority. Hung jury usually results in the case being tried again. T ...

, but was convicted in a second trial of one count of attempted extortion while being acquitted of 23 other extortion and racketeering charges. He was sentenced to 37 months in prison, serving his term in Colorado and Texas. He was moved to a

halfway house A halfway house is an institute for people with criminal backgrounds or substance use disorder problems to learn (or relearn) the necessary skills to re-integrate into society and better support and care for themselves. As well as serving as a ...

in June 2009 before being released on probation in December the same year.

References

, - {{DEFAULTSORT:Vigil, Robert E. 1953 births Hispanic and Latino American politicians Living people New Mexico Democrats New Mexico politicians convicted of crimes People from San Miguel County, New Mexico Politicians convicted of extortion under color of official right State auditors of New Mexico State treasurers of New Mexico