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The New Mexico Attorney General has launched an investigation into allegations of fraudulent public comments submitted in support of Project Jupiter, a data center campus by Oracle and OpenAI in Doña Ana County. Residents and elected officials reported their names were used without consent on letters for the project's air quality permit. The Department of Justice is collaborating with the Environment Department to ensure the integrity of the permitting process and may pursue legal action against those responsible.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has launched an investigation into allegations of fraudulently submitted public comments supporting Project Jupiter, a planned data center campus in Doña Ana County. The facility, being developed by Yucca Growth Infrastructure for Oracle and OpenAI, is currently undergoing an air quality permit application process.
Residents from three New Mexico cities and several elected officials, including Rep. Cristina Parajón (D-Albuquerque), reported that their names and email addresses were used on pro-Project Jupiter letters without their knowledge or consent, some even utilizing official legislative email addresses. Parajón suggested this could constitute impersonating a government official.
New Mexico Department of Justice's Chief of Civil Affairs, Billy Jimenez, sent a letter to New Mexico Environment Department Secretary James Kenney, stating that a "potentially substantial number" of comments might be fraudulent. The Department of Justice is seeking full cooperation from NMED to determine the validity of these complaints and ensure the integrity of the permitting process.
NMED spokesperson Drew Goretzka confirmed the department will cooperate, noting that NMED is reviewing comments and is prepared to pursue civil or criminal action against responsible parties if manipulation is confirmed. Oracle has also stated its support for the investigation, committing to reviewing comments and investigating raised instances of questioned authenticity.