Anaya Cuts Two Sentences in Kickback Case

Outgoing Gov. Toney Anaya, who recently commuted death sentences for five inmates, Wednesday reduced the 18-year prison sentences of a former aide and a former state official.

Anaya, whose term ended at midnight, reduced aide John Ramming’s sentence to three years and former disaster relief official Pete Mondragon’s sentence to six years, saying antagonism toward his administration may have prompted excessive punishment for the pair.

Ramming and Mondragon were each sentenced on kickback, fraud, bribery and racketeering charges for steering nearly $3 million in state disaster funds to contractor Richard Rowand in exchange for $15,000 in cash and a $25,000 truck.

Anaya said evidence at the trial implicated Mondragon more than Ramming, and Mondragon deserved a longer sentence.

“The trial was conducted in an atmosphere and climate during which time there was much antagonism toward my administration,” Anaya said. “It would appear that extenuating circumstances may well have played a role at the sentencing stage of the proceedings.”

Rowand pleaded guilty to second-degree racketeering and was sentenced to five years of probation.