Albuquerque cops took bribes to sink DWI cases; 260 tossed, six more officers on leave
For decades, Albuquerque Police Department officers skipped court hearings, withheld evidence or failed to file paperwork so DWI cases against clients of defense attorney Thomas Clear III would be dismissed, according to his federal plea agreement. Clear pleaded guilty in February 2025 to racketeering and bribery of APD officers. Nine APD officers, one Bernalillo County deputy, his paralegal and another lawyer have also pleaded guilty. The 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office has dismissed more than 260 DWI cases tied to the probe. Fourteen officers were fired, resigned or retired during APD's internal investigation, and in August 2026 APD put six more officers on leave who had not yet been interviewed. As of the Journal's Aug. 31, 2026 report, none of those who pleaded guilty had been sentenced; prosecutors had said sentencing likely would not come until 2027.
Six officers with the Albuquerque Police Department have been placed on leave as part of an ongoing investigation into a decades-long scheme involving a defense attorney paying law enforcement officers in an effort to get DWI cases dismissed.
Attorney Thomas Clear III admitted he led the scheme to bribe officers to miss court so judges would dismiss DWI cases.
Clear is walking free and Mendez went to Mexico. All of the conspirators are still free.
Pleaded guilty in February 2025 to racketeering conspiracy and bribery of APD officers.
Spokesperson said APD is conducting an internal investigation and the six officers on leave have not yet been interviewed.
No outcome recorded yet.