Police in New Mexico have halted an investigation into sexual assault allegations against the mayor of Espanola, without filing any charges.
Española Mayor John Ramon Vigil Faces Ongoing Investigations for Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Española Mayor John Ramon Vigil has been embroiled in multiple allegations of sexual- or gender-based misconduct by city employees since 2023. One such accuser, a city employee, claimed that Vigil inappropriately touched her at a late-night bar in Santa Fe, an incident that was reportedly witnessed by Española City Manager Eric Lujan.
The accuser filed a petition for a temporary protection order, which was granted by 1st Judicial District Judge Denise Thomas, requiring Vigil to stay at least 25 yards away from her. Vigil has denied these allegations, stating they are politically motivated.
The New Mexico State Police launched an investigation into these claims based on the report from the city employee and corroborating statements from city officials. However, the investigation has since closed without any criminal findings.
Meanwhile, the case filed by Laura Rendon, Vigil's former administrative assistant, for gender discrimination against him is currently pending trial. This is the third time the mayor has been accused of such misconduct by a city employee since 2023.
Eric Lujan, the city manager who witnessed the alleged incident, left his position in May after a settlement with the city and now works as a special projects coordinator. Vigil has also filed ethics complaints against some City Council members, including Mayor Pro Tem Peggy Sue Martinez and Councilors Denise Benavidez and Samuel LeDoux.
As of early August 2025, the investigations into these allegations are ongoing or recently conducted, with protective orders issued against Vigil. If new information arises, the investigations could be reopened, and charges could be reconsidered.
[1] Source: Albuquerque Journal, Santa Fe New Mexican, and KRQE News 13.
In light of the ongoing investigations, various news outlets, including the Albuquerque Journal, Santa Fe New Mexican, and KRQE News 13, have reported on the political and general-news implications of the allegations against Española Mayor John Ramon Vigil. These allegations, which involve sexual misconduct accusations, have also been linked to the crime-and-justice sector, as they involve instances of inappropriate behavior and potential violations of city employees' rights. The ongoing nature of these investigations and legal proceedings highlights the importance of the justice system in addressing such misconduct.
