Former mayor ordered to pay nonprofit

By Jimmy Currier
Observer staff writer
Published on Sunday, October 25, 2009 12:13 AM MDT

Sandoval County Judicial District Judge George Eichwald filed a judgment on Oct. 13 in favor of Family Lifeline in its civil suit against Kevin Jackson.

Family Lifeline filed a suit in district court in January of 2008, asking for $25,618.68 in compensatory plus punitive damages determined by the court. The complaint accuses Jackson of misappropriation of funds, embezzlement and conversion.

Jackson is ordered to pay $31,852.68, plus accrued interest at a rate of 8.75 percent.

Jackson filed a countersuit in April of 2008. Eichwald dismissed that case on June 15.

Family Lifeline Inc., formerly known as Best Choice Educational Service, Inc., accuses Jackson of spending $25,618.68 on personal travel, meals, lodging, payment of legal penalties and fines and contributions to his own nonprofit, the New Mexico Family Council.

In the suit, Family Lifeline claims that Jackson severely damaged its reputation and that the organization must refund the misappropriated $25,618.68 to the U.S. Department of Health. Plus, the organization lost all federal funds for the fiscal year, which began October of 2007.

Other expenses incurred by Family Lifeline Inc. include hiring an auditor to track down and list the improper expenses and hiring an attorney.

Family Lifeline uses federal grant money to provide abstinence education in schools. The organization hired Jackson as its executive director in June of 2006 to supervise staff, apply for federal grants and use the money for abstinence education.

Lifeline fired Jackson in May of 2007.

In an unrelated matter, Jackson is facing criminal charges in Pennsylvania.

Jackson is scheduled to have a trial on Nov. 9 in Erie, Penn., on charges of burglary, criminal trespass and simple assault.

The charges stem from an incident in January when Jackson allegedly went to his wife’s home and pointed a pistol at her.

Jackson was elected mayor in 2006 and resigned in 2007 amid allegations of fraud.

Copyright © 2010 Rio Rancho Observer

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Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of the Rio Rancho Observer.

Palinte. wrote on Oct 25, 2009 4:37 AM:

" GOOD! Its past time this vote for me Holy Roller, Family Values, Abstinence crank was held accountable for his charlatan acts.
Not a day goes by that we in the USA (and globally) can not see the mistakes people made in voting others into office, regionally and nationally, simply because they claimed to be a "good christian". Jackson, Bush, the endless string of GOP wanna be presidential candidates who recently got busted cheating, lying, stealing. Its sickening. I hope people will educate themselves better before casting their ballot rather than basing it on proclaimed religious affiliation. "

Robert Coss wrote on Oct 31, 2009 9:01 AM:

" "...wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds."

...what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.
2 Cor 11:13-15 "

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