Attorney Stuart L. Stein has written Governor Bill Richardson asking him to remove Norman S. Thayer, Esq., of the Albuquerque law firm Sutin, Thayer and Browne, from the newly revived Governor’s Task Force on Ethics Reform - a group designed to recommend changes for legislation concerning ethics in government and campaign finance. (See, Santa Fe New Mexican article of 4-21-2007.)

In his letter to Governor Richardson dated April 27, 2007, Stein asserts that Thayer’s true colors were displayed in a disciplinary matter currently pending in which Thayer made recommendations to move forward on the prosecution of Stein for ethics violations without reviewing both sides of the matter as required by the Rules Governing Discipline.

Stein claims Thayer’s intentional failure to adhere to the Rules he is required to follow within the lawyer discipline system, and his refusal to acknowledge his deliberate transgression, disqualifies him from serving in any position seeking to recommend ethical guidelines for the legislature or any other group. (more…)