FARMINGTON – Aztec City Manager Paul Eckert on Friday clarified his stance on City Attorney Tyson Gobble, who faces a criminal complaint of battery and false imprisonment in a domestic violence case.
A criminal complaint filed June 23 said the Farmington Police Department was seeking an arrest warrant for Gobble on one count of battery of a household member and one count of false imprisonment.
The warrant was quashed, according to the 11th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Gobble was charged, but not arrested.
On Friday, Eckert said in an email to The Durango Herald that Steve Murphy, senior partner at a law firm contracted with the city, may replace Gobble in representing the city of Aztec. The city has a 2-year-old agreement with the firm, Eckert said.
“The contract appears to allow the consultant attorneys to be interchangeable,” Eckert said in the email. “Consequently, the City Commission does not need to take immediate action. With that said, nothing limits the Commission from taking any action.”
He added that the city has ended its relationship with Gobble.
“Under no circumstance will the city permit Gobble to be associated with the city in the future,” he said.
According to the complaint against Gobble, the Farmington Police Department responded to a report of domestic violence June 19 at a home on the east side of town.
A woman at the scene said she and Gobble argued at a golf course. After arriving home, the woman went inside to pack a bag and planned to leave with the children. However, Gobble pushed her against a closet and grabbed her throat, the complaint said.
Gobble is scheduled to appear before a judge July 28, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
mmitchell@durangoherald.com
