TUCUMCARI, N.M.—A former city commissioner has been served with a complaint for more than $27,000 owed to Quay Schools FCU, Eastern New Mexico News reported.
The CU filed a complaint in the Tucumcari district court for debt and money owed, along with a petition for a writ of replevin, against former Tucumcari District 4 Commissioner Christopher Arias, Eastern New Mexico News said.
The complaint states that Arias entered into a loan agreement for $24,900 in September 2023 at an annual interest rate of 15.5%, payable in monthly installments of $555. The loan was secured with a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle convertible.
According to Eastern New Mexico News, the credit union claims that Arias defaulted on the loan and owes a principal amount of $24,808.48 and interest totaling $2,316.74, resulting in a total debt of $27,125.19 as of June 4. Interest continues to accrue at a rate of 0.0425% per day, according to the complaint.
Nancy English of the English Law Firm in Tucumcari filed the lawsuit on behalf of the credit union, Eastern New Mexico News said.
The date of the loan coincides with the period when Arias operated the Pow Wow Lounge in Tucumcari for several months before its closure. In November, Arias pleaded guilty to a felony charge involving a bounced check of nearly $3,000 for outstanding city water bills associated with his restaurant. He was subsequently placed on 18 months of supervised probation, required to perform 50 hours of community service, and mandated to complete a financial accountability class. Arias served as the District 4 commissioner from 2018 until his resignation in 2023 for personal reasons, Eastern New Mexico News reported.