The Sigala Affair gets Complicated....

In April of 2012, we reported how because of excessive spending by then APOA President Joey Sigala, the New Mexico State Police had opened up an investigation into his conduct. President Sigala and Vice President Felip Garcia (now sergeant TJ Wilham's unit the Real Time Crime Center) promptly resigned. In the weeks following Sigala was arrested for a domestic violence incident but because his wife refused to testify the case was dismissed this past December.

It now seems things have caught up to Mr. Sigala. While the investigation by the NMSP continues, they have confirmed Sigala is the target of criminal charges (Here: http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/crime/ex-exec-charged-with-defrauding-cop-union).
 

We at the Eye have been reporting what our Eyes have been telling us for years since recently fired APOA employee Ron Olivas was the APOA president that from him through at least Sigala and possibly Weber, that the APOA President and Vice President looked upon union funds as their own personal expense account and their positions full of additional benefits where they could work extra time however and whenever they saw fit to.
 

But as with all financial crimes, the hard questions are now going to come forward. Who else knew about Sigala and Garcia's activities? Why did they not step forward and do the ethical thing? And if there are persons who should've known, why are they still in positions of trust within the APOA? For instance, current Treasurer Matt Fischer co-signed checks for work claimed to have been done by Sigala. Does Fischer not have a duty to safeguard the membership's funds even when confronted by Sigala? And what of Weber, during the course of the audit, was similar activity not found out concerning Olivas and didn't Weber have a duty to do what is right? And what of then and current Vice President Shawn Willoughby?
 

And regarding Garcia and Schultz, did they not benefit as well? How many times did Sigala bring his tag along Garcia on double dipping activities? And how many times was Schultz in a position to know that Sigala was falsely claiming work time while they shared "meetings" together over meals...

While only the members and executive board of the APOA can answer these questions voluntarily, we know that given the scale of charges facing Sigala, it is not a questions of IF he will roll on cohorts, but WHEN. Surely, Sigala is not going to take the hit for everybody.

We told the members over a year ago that an opportunity was going to present itself where they could step up and do what's right for all the members, or they could remain silent and protect the few. It is now apparent the less noble option has been taken.  We hope that current APOA President Stephanie Lopez is informed enough of the legacy of corruption and mistrust she has inherited and wise enough to know that covering up the crimes of others is just as bad as committing them...