Manny M. Aragon (born March 22, 1947) is a former New Mexico State Senator.
Life
editManny M. Aragon was born to Charlotte and Mel Aragon.[1]
Career
editAragon served in the New Mexico Senate from 1975 to 2004 as a Democrat representing the Valencia and Bernalillo counties, District Fourteen.
Following the New Mexico State Penitentiary riot in 1980, Aragon assisted and comforted survivors.[1]
In 1988, he was elected president pro tempore of the State Senate. He remained in that position until 2001.[2]
In 2001, he served as the second Hispanic chairman of the Council of State Governments (CSG).
Aragon then served as president of New Mexico Highlands University.
Later life
editIn 2009, as a private citizen, he was found guilty of three counts of conspiracy to defraud $4.4 million from the State of New Mexico during the construction of a new Court House.[3] He was released in December 2013 after serving four and a half years in prison.[4]
Aragon has two children.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c in 1947. "A Memorial Commemorating the Fiftieth Birthday of Senator Manny M. Aragon, President Pro Tempore of the Senate" (PDF). 43rd Legislature of the State of New Mexico. 1997.
- ^ Feldman, Dede (2014). Inside the New Mexico Senate: Boots, Suits, and Citizens. UNM Press. ISBN 978-0-8263-5439-6.
- ^ [1] | Wednesday, March 18, 2009 | Fed judge sentences former NM senator Manny Aragon to 5½ years in prison, orders fine | Former New Mexico state Senate leader Manny Aragon broke down in tears before being sentenced Tuesday to 5½ years in prison for his role in a corruption case that stained his long career of public service. | By HEATHER CLARK | Associated Press Writer | [2]
- ^ Baker, Deborah (December 6, 2013). "Manny Aragon released from federal prison". Albuquerque Journal.