NM Judge Claims Retaliation For Whistle-Blowing

A New Mexico judge is signaling she may file a lawsuit claiming she's been harassed in retaliation for being a whistle-blower.

The Albuquerque Journal (http://bit.ly/YvuPsC ) reports that District Judge Lisa Schultz of Las Cruces filed a claim notice in December. Claim notices are often precursors to lawsuit.

Schultz says she's been harassed since she reported what amounts to bribery allegations against then-Judge Michael Murphy regarding judicial appointments.

Allegations in Schultz's claim notice include that her workload was increased and that a court worker spied on her.

Las Cruces District Court officials declined comment, while a spokesman for the state Risk Management Division would only confirm that the agency has received Schultz's notice.

Murphy has pleaded not guilty to bribery and awaits trial.