Watchdog clears Albuquerque’s top lawyer in probe, but dispute with Council persists

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Albuquerque’s city watchdog found no legal or ethical misconduct by Interim City Attorney Lauren Keefe, but the report paints a picture of confusion inside City Hall.

Interim Inspector General Peter Pacheco released the final special investigation report July 31 on allegations of legal and ethical misconduct by Interim City Attorney Lauren Keefe and adopted the findings of Jennings Haug Keleher McLeod Waterfall LLP, a Phoenix and Albuquerque law firm hired by the city watchdog to ensure an independent review. The Office of Inspector General launched the inquiry in December 2025 after Chief Administrative Officer Samantha Sengel and then-City Council President Brook Bassan jointly requested it. After reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses and examining municipal law, the outside investigators found that Keefe violated no laws, city ordinances, policies or Rules of Professional Conduct. With no basis for removal, the OIG recommended that the City Attorney’s Office provide regular guidance and training to city officials on attorney-client relationships and ethical obligations.

Mayor Tim Keller’s press secretary, Dan Mayfield, told The Paper. the administration was “pleased the report resolves these allegations based on the facts” and confirms the City Attorney operated within ethical bounds. However, in a statement, City Council Vice President Dan Champine said the watchdog report “falls short of what was needed,” citing a lack of legal analysis and factual inaccuracies. Champine said the investigation showed the city’s current system is not working and needs structural changes to the City Charter to create a truly independent legal department.

Following the report’s release, the City Council approved a Charter Amendment Proposal during the Aug. 3 council meeting, placing a question on the Nov. 3 ballot that will let voters decide whether to change the process for appointing, removing and appointing, removing and establishing the independence of both the city attorney and the city clerk.

Champine also called on Keller to move forward with Keefe’s nomination and said the council is prepared to hold an open discussion about the City Attorney’s role and expectations. The council first confirmed Keefe as city attorney in 2022 and Keller reappointed her as interim city attorney in December 2025.

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