News
Caleb Fort
|
September 6
Linda Atkinson, director of DWI Resource Center, said it reflects poorly on UNM to have a lobbyist charged with DWI.
"I don't think it is the type of legacy you want," she said.
Marc Saavedra, UNM's government relations director, was arrested on charges of aggravated DWI on Aug. 30, according to a criminal complaint.
He failed field sobriety tests and refused to take a blood-alcohol test, according to the complaint.
Saavedra's arraignment is Sept. 14, according to court documents.
He was released Friday, according to court documents.
His bail was set at $5,000, but he was released on recognizance, which means the bail was waived, according to the court.
Saavedra and his attorney did not return phone calls Tuesday.
David Harris, acting UNM president, released a statement Friday.
"The justice process has to be followed and completed," he said in the statement. "This is a regrettable incident as Mr. Saavedra is a valued employee. We are taking this matter very seriously; we are looking into it and will take appropriate action once we know more."
Susan McKinsey, University spokeswoman, said UNM will wait for a verdict before taking any action.
"The justice system will have to work its way through, and after that, it will become a personnel issue," she said. "Then I won't be able to say anything about it."
Saavedra pleaded guilty to aggravated DWI in 1997, according to court documents.
Atkinson said the charges might make it harder to recruit students to UNM.
"As a higher education institution, it wants to attract students not just from around New Mexico, but from around the country," she said. "If they know the lobbyist has been arrested for the second time for (charges of) DWI, it decreases the credibility of the institution."
