KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, SportsAdmittedly drunk mayor accused of seeking donation

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - The border town mayor and congressional candidate who admitted he was drunk when he signed contracts committing the city to $1 million in work has also been accused of requesting donations from the company when it came calling for payment.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reported Friday that Sunland Park Mayor Martin Resendiz and City Councilor Daniel Salinas are both accused of soliciting the donations from California-based architectural firm Synthesis+.

In a lawsuit seeking payment, Synthesis+ claims that when an executive went to meet with Salinas for payment, the councilor asked for a $6,000 donation. In a later meeting with the mayor, court records allege, Resendiz told the executive he "rewards constituents who look out for his political growth, interest and career."

A city spokesman said the company has made "a lot of false accusations" but declined comment on specifics.