Arson case slated in Tucumcari Motel Fire

The only thing left of Payless is the sign (Sixgun Siding)

(Quay County Sun) A mediation hearing is scheduled for Friday in Albuquerque federal district court in a civil case against Tucumcari city and police officials filed by owners of the Payless Inn, which was destroyed in an arson fire in 2014 started by former Tucumcari police officer Dustin Lopez while he was still on the police force.
Last Thursday, the Tucumcari City Commission approved $25,000 allocation for the deductible portion of the settlement of this case, indicating a settlement might be near.
In the case, Maggie Ventures, L.L.C. of Nevada, the motel’s owner, alleged the city and police department officials improperly hired Lopez despite his known problems with “alcoholism and other disorders.” Continued