Corrections officer investigated for improper shooting

 

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A state corrections officer is under investigation for firing shots on prison property.

That officer lives with state corrections secretary Lupe Martinez in a home the state provides for her. It's on state prison property about 10 miles south of Santa Fe.

Corrections department spokesman Shannon McReynolds confirms parole officer Larry Flynn is being investigated for firing shots at the secretary's home last weekend.

He told officers he was shooting at rattlesnakes he discovered on the property.

McReynolds also confirms Flynn has been on paid administrative leave since about April -- accused of padding his timesheet while working with the New Mexico Gang Task Force.

While on paid leave, he's been living on prison property with corrections Secretary Lupe Martinez.

"He is engaged to secretary Martinez," said McReynolds.

Governor Susana Martinez ordered state police to look into the matter. She also ordered an independent administrative review because the corrections secretary is engaged to Flynn.

When asked if there is a conflict of interest, McReynolds said Thursday, "Well, obviously there would be if somebody had an interest, a vested interest in the outcome of the investigation which is why we welcome and are cooperating with state police."

McReynolds says the corrections department takes the matter seriously, as does the secretary, but she's watching from a distance. "Secretary Martinez can not be involved in the investigation," he said.

McReynolds says the agency will keep with Governor Martinez's promise of transparency. "Nothing gets whitewashed or swept under the rug - we're doing our best to ensure that the taxpayers can be confident that this investigation is a legitimate investigation," he said.