Mold Remediation in Albuquerque, NM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

Legacy Church and Steelbridge Ministries are among the parties sued in a civil lawsuit, alleging a former counselor sexually abused a patient during their court-ordered drug treatment.

The lawsuit alleges former executive director of Steelbridge, Travis Clark, is accused of allegedly coercing his patient into regular sexual contact between December 2020 and April 2024.

"We want to hold both this individual accountable and the institution that empowered him to be able to take advantage of the women who were in a very vulnerable place in their life when they were in this rehabilitation program," Shayne Huffman, the attorney representing Jane Doe, said.

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The civil lawsuit filed Monday stated during her substance abuse counseling, Clark was offering her an expedited release from custody if she agreed to his sexual demands.

"If somebody in counseling of any type is to engage in a sexual relationship with someone that is providing counseling, it is illegal under New Mexico law," Huffman said.

According to the lawsuit, Clark was allowed to resign his position after these allegations were brought to the attention of the organization's Board of Directors in the summer of 2021. The board chair is Legacy Church Pastor Steve Smothermon, whose church is also being sued. "We understand that Steel Bridge is essentially operated by Legacy," Huffman said.

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Huffman also highlighted similar allegations against Clark before he was hired at Steelbridge in 2019.

After Clark's resignation from Steelbridge, the lawsuit said Clark was hired at Crossroads for Women, another treatment center in Albuquerque. KOAT found court documents showing a former employee of Crossroads filed a restraining order against Clark this year due to him allegedly sexually abusing her while they both were employed at Crossroads.

In a statement to KOAT, attorneys for Legacy Church and Steelbridge Ministries states, "both the Lawsuit and the Press Release are riddled with spurious allegations that constitute false statements of fact made to third parties that wrongfully damage the reputation of the Ministries."

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Griffin Rushton | KOB

City and state leaders announce plans to redevelop Expo New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – City and state leaders announced Tuesday they are ready to redevelop the expansive piece of land in the center of Albuquerque.

“This is the center of Albuquerque. The center of Albuquerque deserves a refresh and a restart. That’s what you do,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Lujan Grisham says the state is ready to hit that restart button.

“It is my hope and desire, that this becomes a re-energized effort to modernize, to improve, to create opportunity in a much bigger area than just the state expo or state fair property itself,” said Lujan Grisham.

The governor says the state will release a bid on Wednesday, asking developers to submit their ideas for how to redevelop the 236-acre piece of state land nestled between some of Albuquerque’s oldest and most overlooked neighborhoods.

“This area is in serious need of a jolt of energy,” said Speaker of the House Javier Martinez. “Folks have been asking and clamoring for something different, a different vision for this space.”

There are already a lot of ideas on the table, and that’s why affordable housing is at the top of everyone’s list.

“This is an opportunity to meet the housing needs of a very diverse group of homeowners who have been waiting far too long for the state to be able to think about a vision,” Lujan Grisham said.

But what about the Albuquerque Downs Racetrack and Casino, which occupies roughly a quarter of the state fairgrounds?

“There is a long term lease that is not expiring in the next two years, four or six,” said Lujan Grisham. “So for now, I would expect that the racino stays for a large amount of time.”

What about the New Mexico State Fair?

“Those of you who have attended the fair, you recognize that we have outgrown the facilities and the property here,” said Eric Serna, a New Mexico State Fair commissioner.

“I met personally with many of the 4H and AG groups who are really ready for a restart and a refresh,” said Lujan Grisham.

The governor says she wants to see real movement on this by the end of the legislative session in March. Some elected leaders are optimistic.

“There’s skin in the game for all of us, so we might actually be able to do this instead of just a wonderful study that we could never deliver on,” said Mayor Tim Keller.

The governor did confirm the 2025 state fair will still go on at Expo New Mexico, but it’s hard to say if that will be the last one.

The governor and other state leaders say there’s already conversations about where a new state fairgrounds could go.

Lujan Grisham says they’ve already decided it needs to be near the center of the state but suggested that does not automatically mean Albuquerque.

“Imagine, if you will, that Valencia County could offer up some interesting proposals, that the South Valley right here in Bernalillo County. Bernalillo County ought to think about where would a new developed platform in space be. Maybe Torrance County, maybe Edgewood and Santa Fe, where we are looking at I-25 and I-40 corridors that allow New Mexicans who already use that mode of transportation to come and stay at the fair,” said Lujan Grisham.

These are all ideas right now. It seems the governor wants state lawmakers and the state fair commission to lead those conversations, but don’t expect any final decision anytime soon.