Mayor, guard, city employee arrested for DWI

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - You call him mayor, prison guard, or union boss. But police are calling him a major danger after they say they he boozed it up at a rec center, then crashed his work car there. And now he's already back at work.

Michael Finkbone wears a lot of hats, but it's his black and white striped jail jumpsuit that most people are talking about.

A car, a gate, a mugshot; they all show the aftermath of a drunken Saturday night for Finkbone.

Finkbone was arrested at this city recreational center in Springer after he crashed a city vehicle into the gate. The criminal complaint says by the time cops arrived angry citizens were already watching this whole thing unfold.

New Mexico State Police have taken over the investigation.

“They asked us to look into this partly because he is a city employee of Springer and other reasons obviously,” said Lt. Robert McDonald.

Turns out, Finkbone is a city worker, town trustee and fill-in-mayor when needed. He's also a corrections officer at the state prison in Springer; a low security facility where a lot of repeat drunk drivers serve their time.

“Obviously it doesn't look good for the City of Springer or the corrections department,” said McDonald.

Cops say Finkbone confessed to drinking a pint of southern comfort before going to the rec center, then a few beers at the rec center while taking some sleeping pills before he climbed behind the wheel. Despite his arrest, he's still on the job, working at the prison where he's also the union president.

In response to our questions of why he's not suspended, Corrections Secretary Gregg Marcantel sent News 13 this statement:

“In response to your question regarding our use of administrative leave, our decisions on its use are grounded in public safety. In all cases that involve integrity allegations made against our staff, the nature of the allegation is weighed against the safety sensitive nature of the employee’s position. When the context of the allegation suggests a reasonable threat to the safety of our work or prison environments, administrative leave is used to mitigate the risk to public safety.”

Finkbone has a laundry list of charges, all misdemeanors. He sent News 13 a statement apologizing for his actions and saying he will pay for any damage he caused.

Finkbone did take a blood test, those results are not back yet. He could be charged with aggravated DWI if his alcohol level comes back above a .16

As far as his job with the City of Springer, no one could tell us if he's being punished in any way or if he's still getting paid.