NMSA 7-38-74. Officers and employees engaged in the administration of

7-38-74. Officers and employees engaged in the administration of the property tax prohibited from buying property sold for delinquent property taxes; penalties for violation; sales of real property in violation declared void. A. Officers or employees of the state or of any of its political subdivisions engaged in the administration of the property tax may not, directly or indirectly, acquire an interest in, buy or profit from any property sold by the department for delinquent taxes except that an officer or employee may purchase property sold for delinquent taxes if he is the owner of the property and was the owner of the property at the time the taxes became delinquent. B. Any officer or employee violating this section is guilty of a fourth degree felony and shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or imprisoned for not less than one year nor more than five years, or both. He shall also be automatically removed from office or have his employment terminated upon conviction. C. A real property sale in violation of this section is void. History: 1953 Comp., § 72-31-74, enacted by Laws 1973, ch. 258, § 114.