Fired prosecutor's testimony raises broader concerns

The Republicans saw an opportunity in ethics scandals that were roiling state government, including Iglesias' prosecution of two Democrats -- a state treasurer and former state treasurer -- just a few weeks before the election. Against that backdrop, Iglesias feared that Wilson and Domenici were trying to draw him into the election fray, with plans to use him and his office in political attack ads against Madrid, he said in testimony this week before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Iglesias said that he considered Domenici his mentor because he had helped get him appointed as U.S. attorney in 2002. And he considered Wilson, whom he had campaigned with in 1998, "a friend, an ally."

But after his prosecution of the state treasurers, Iglesias said he believed it was clear that Wilson and Domenici wanted more indictments, this time in an ongoing public corruption investigation involving the construction of a new courthouse in Albuquerque. Several Democrats were viewed as potential targets, and Iglesias understood that news of indictments against them would probably boost Wilson's chances.

"I was aware that public corruption was a huge battle being waged by Patricia Madrid and Heather Wilson in the 1st District," he said. "And I assiduously tried to stay out of that fight."

Wilson called Iglesias on Oct. 16, while he was staying at a hotel in Washington. He said she asked him whether there were sealed indictments in the courthouse corruption case.

Wilson says she merely called to pass on a constituent complaint that Iglesias was "intentionally delaying corruption prosecutions," and said that "this allegation was deeply troubling" to her. She added, "My call was not about any particular case or person, nor was it motivated by politics or partisanship. I did not ask about the timing of indictments, and I did not tell Mr. Iglesias what course of action I thought he should take or pressure him in any way."

In the final weeks before the election, both parties poured enormous resources -- and star power -- into the race. In the home stretch, Laura Bush campaigned for Wilson; former President Clinton stumped for Madrid.

For Domenici, the stakes in Wilson's race were personal and political. He has been her most important patron, and many believe that Domenici is grooming her to replace him in the Senate after he retires. He had played a big role in her campaign, making appearances and endorsing her in radio and television ads.