30-Year Cop Bribe Scandal Explodes

Silhouette of hands exchanging money in dim light.

Generational police corruption in Albuquerque’s DWI unit let dangerous drivers roam free for 30 years, betraying public safety and eroding trust in law enforcement that Americans rely on to protect our communities.

Story Snapshot

Attorney Thomas Clear III orchestrated a 30-year bribery scheme with APD DWI officers, dismissing cases for cash and gifts.
Nearly the entire DWI unit participated, including senior leaders promoted to internal affairs, blocking investigations.
Multiple guilty pleas in 2025-2026, including recent one from Officer Neill Elsman; hundreds of DWI cases dismissed.
FBI exposed the “DWI Enterprise,” largest corruption case in New Mexico history, harming innocent arrestees and public safety.
Civil lawsuit by 14 victims against Albuquerque highlights systemic failures in police oversight.

Scheme Origins and Operations

Thomas Clear III launched the corruption network in the mid-1990s by bribing Albuquerque Police Department DWI officers. Clear handled about 2,500 DWI cases over three decades, promising clients avoidance of penalties, license suspensions, and interlock devices. His paralegal, Ricardo Mendez, coordinated cash payments and communications with officers. Officers skipped required hearings, enabling case dismissals. Non-cash perks like Christmas gifts and hotel stays built loyalty among participants.

Institutional Betrayal and Failed Oversight

Senior APD commanders and deputy commanders joined the scheme, with some later promoted to internal affairs—the unit meant to root out corruption. APD probed DWI misconduct in 2003, 2014, and 2019, but took minimal action due to missing evidence and overlooked patterns. Department of Justice-mandated changes in 2019 failed to halt operations. Respected officers like Honorio Alba Jr., honored by MADD, and Toby LaFave, New Mexico State Police sergeant in DOT ads, took bribes while posing as DWI enforcers.

The scheme spanned agencies, including Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police. In 2022, two arrestees reported bribe solicitations; attorney Daymon B. Ely notified the FBI after APD’s oversight body ignored tips. Federal investigators uncovered the full enterprise by early 2024, confirming “generational” corruption normalized in the DWI unit.

Guilty Pleas and Ongoing Fallout

Ricardo Mendez pleaded guilty January 24, 2025, to conspiracy charges. Clear followed February 12, 2025, admitting bribery, racketeering, and extortion. Officer Honorio Alba Jr. entered a guilty plea February 2025; Louis A. Henckel III did so June 23, 2025. Joshua Montaño took a plea deal, naming Clear as ringleader. Neill Elsman, forced to resign in 2024, pleaded guilty January 2026 to bribes, extortion, and conspiracy. About two dozen implicated, a dozen pled guilty; sentencings pending.

New Mexico Supreme Court suspended Clear’s law license. APD fired commanders Mark Landavazo and Gustavo Gomez. Hundreds of DWI cases dismissed, releasing potentially guilty drivers and sparking safety fears. A 14-plaintiff lawsuit accuses APD of systemic failures; innocent arrestees like Jose Vasquez, who passed breath tests, lost jobs and families.

Public Safety Risks and Reform Needs

The scandal compromised public safety through wrongful prosecutions of sober drivers and improper releases of actual offenders. Federal prosecutors stressed officers’ participation enabled Clear’s high dismissal rate. This institutional rot—spanning 1995-2024—demands robust oversight to restore trust in police protecting American families. Multi-agency involvement signals wider probes ahead, underscoring need for accountability to prevent endangering communities nationwide.