New Mexico auditor says ex-police chief got perks from Taser

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico's state auditor outlined what he called a troubling pattern of perks and consulting work heaped upon the former Albuquerque police chief by Taser International as it secured a lucrative no-bid contract to supply officers with body cameras.

Auditor Tim Keller forwarded his findings to prosecutors, who will decide if Ray Schultz broke the law in his dealings with Taser. Keller believes Schultz committed "substantial violations" of city and state ethics laws in his dealings with Taser called the case a "rampant disregard for all of those things that protect our taxpayer dollars."

The investigation brings more tumult to the Albuquerque Police Department as it deals with the fallout over a U.S. Justice Department investigation and a rash of police shootings. Brought in as a reformer in 2005, Schultz stepped down in 2013 under a cloud of bad morale.

"You want the police chief of the Albuquerque Police Department to be this sort of shining star in public office. In this case, it points to the opposite direction," Keller said.

More