More charges in Sunland Park scandals

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico State Police have filed embezzlement and fraud charges against a former consultant for the city of Sunland Park.

Dona Ana County District authorities say the charges were filed Thursday against Annette Morales, who owns the Las Cruces-based company Medius Inc.

They say charges stem from a March 2011 contract between Morales and Sunland Park for $1 million for providing the strategic framework for a border crossing.

Medius collected more than $457,000 from the city between April and August 2011. The Sunland Park City Council terminated the contract last Sept. 7, citing unsatisfactory work performance.

Police say more than $250,000 of the money paid to Morales wasn't within the scope of the contract, was contrary to the stated deliverables and invoices and was inconsistent with the expenditures she claimed.

(Two city officials are among nine people charged with voter fraud , and the former mayor-elect and city manager both face extortion charges related to trying to using a sex tape to try to force a mayoral candidate out of the election earlier this year.  In addition corruption-related charges were filed against the mayor-elect who was unable to take office because he was in jail.)