Robert E. Castillo
President of the Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation (CCEDF) and CEO of Continental Divide Electric Cooperative (CDEC). Castillo has filed a civil complaint and restraining order against Mayor Erik Garcia.
Erik Garcia
Mayor of the City of Grants and a voting member of the CCEDF board. The Grants City Council selected him as its official representative to CCEDF, which the city pays $40,000 a year for the privilege of having a representative. He has been a vocal critic of Castillo and CCEDF’s governance, Garcia is now the defendant in the civil restraining order case.
Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation (CCEDF)
A regional nonprofit economic development entity funded by public dollars from Grants, Milan, and Cibola County. Currently embroiled in internal dysfunction, questions of transparency, and conflicts over leadership and voting rights. The board’s last meeting was a dysfunctional disaster, with arguments and confusion over the actual laws that govern them. Castillo serves as president of this board, Garcia is a voting member whose seat is paid for by taxpayer dollars.
Continental Divide Electric Cooperative (CDEC) A member-owned utility cooperative led by CEO Castillo and a Board of Directors. It recently lost a major wholesale energy contract with the City of Gallup. CDEC’s annual meeting on April 26 was the setting for the verbal altercation that led to the restraining order.
City of Grants
Provides approximately $40,000 annually to CCEDF. The entire Grants City Council has raised concerns about the Foundation’s performance. Mayor Garcia represents the city at CCEDF meetings, the city council voted for him to be their representative to the economic development foundation.
Special Master Simone M. Siler
Appointed to oversee the civil restraining order hearing scheduled for May 21 in the 13th Judicial District Court.
JudgeAmanda Sanchez Villalobos / Judge Cindy Mercer Villalobos issued the temporary restraining order on May 8 and then recused herself from the case. The case is now assigned to Judge Mercer.