New Mexico State Auditor Launches Investigation into Western New Mexico University
Albuquerque, N.M. – New Mexico State Auditor, Joseph Maestas, has announced that his office is launching a special investigation into Western New Mexico University (WNMU). The investigation was prompted by complaints received by Maestas’ office in 2023 regarding spending by leaders at WNMU, including allegations of improper spending, travel, and procurement purchases.
Following an investigation, a report released in November revealed that former WNMU president, Dr. Joseph Shepard, had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of the university’s money for personal use over a five-year period. This led to an agreement for a special audit to look into spending irregularities, but little progress was made until Shepard resigned just before Christmas.
In response to the controversy, four members of the university’s board of regents resigned, leaving only the student regent remaining. With the leadership changes and an investigation by the New Mexico Department of Justice underway, Maestas aims to ensure that the special audit is completed by mid-May. He encourages whistleblowers at WNMU to come forward and assures protection of their identity. Reports of fraud, waste, or abuse can be made anonymously to the state auditor’s office online.
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