The city of Santa Fe placed a longtime firefighter and former emergency medical services captain on paid leave last week amid an investigation.

The move came the same day The New Mexican inquired about a 2024 criminal case against Jesse Flores, though city spokesperson Regina Ruiz said the two matters are unrelated.

Ruiz declined to disclose why Flores was placed on leave Aug. 11 — citing "personnel matters" — but said the issue isn't connected to the criminal case, in which Flores was accused of attempting to sell Suboxone to an undercover regional Narcotics Task Force agent. She acknowledged the city became aware of the criminal case, which was dismissed earlier this year, only through the newspaper's inquiry the day Flores was placed on leave.

"Mr. Flores has not notified the City

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