An investigation by the Socorro City Council has accused former Mayor Trini Lopez of making illegal contracts and deals with the city.

The council said he owes the city money because of those actions.

The allegations in the resolution said Lopez acted illegally and inappropriately. But he doesn't see it that way.

The dispute revolves around a 1988 Chevrolet patrol car that Lopez bought with his own money at a city auction. Lopez said he bid on the car, because it has historical value, and because it was the first car driven by the city marshal after the city re-incorporated. He said he wants to rebuild it to preserve the history of the town. The city of Socorro however has a policy that city employees cannot bid at a city auction, because they may have inside information on the surplus item that is being sold.

"We know the inside story whether it’s a dump truck or a copier. We know which one worked and which one didn't work. We know which one has been remodeled or rebuilt. It would be an unfair advantage to someone buying from Socorro and would actually diminish the integrity of any auction, if a Socorro employee were to bid on it," said Socorro spokesperson David Garcia.

However, Lopez feels differently.

"The car has been left forever. There was no radiator, no distributor and no tires. It was a junk car, that to me is part of the history of Socorro," Lopez said.

Lopez said he plans on rebuilding the car, and donating it to the city for a historical display. The city, however, said it wants $425 to pay for the cost of the auctioneer and title on the car that it says Lopez hould not have bid on. The council says it will send him a bill, but the bill also concerns some legal fees for an unrelated incident.