By S.U. Mahesh
Journal Staff Writer - Dec. 22, 1999
SANTA FE, NM -- State Police are investigating Angel Fire Ski Resort after receiving a tip on alleged money
laundering, embezzlement and violations of state liquor laws. The resort calls the claims unfounded.
Investigators seized several financial documents and five computers from the resort after executing a search warrant
on Friday, State Police spokesman Lt. Richard Newman said Tuesday.
The Special Investigations Division of the State Police is looking at allegations of white-collar crimes such
as fraud, forgery and financial embezzlement, Newman said.
Details of the allegations were not immediately available.
The division, which also enforces gaming and liquor laws, also is looking into allegations that the resort is
partially owned by people not identified in its application for a liquor license, which would violate the Liquor
Control Act, he said.
State laws require naming all owners on a liquor license application and also specifying if any of those owners
have criminal convictions, he said.
State liquor officials conduct background checks on applicants before issuing or rejecting a liquor license.
"Again, these are strictly allegations and they haven't been proved," he said.
State Police have also asked Angel Fire city officials to secure any financial documents in the city's possession
relating to Angel Fire Resort as part of the investigation, he said.
Angel Fire and its operators could face both criminal and administrative sanctions such as fines if the allegations
are proven true, Newman said.
Newman said he didn't know who tipped off State Police investigators to the allegations.
Angel Fire spokeswoman Sherrie Bullington said Tuesday that the allegations are unfounded.
"We're trying to figure out what they're talking about," Bullington said.
Angel Fire is owned by Dallas oilman Tim Allen, she said.
Bullington declined to comment further, but issued a statement that said the resort is cooperating with the State
Police investigation "to quickly resolve the questions regarding the ownership of the resort's liquor licenses."
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