Auditor: $200K stolen from college
High-level employee at NNMC has stepped down over missing money
The State Auditor’s Office said Wednesday that $200,000 has been stolen from Northern New Mexico College in Española, and that a highlevel employee in the college’s business office has resigned in connection with the missing funds.
The office said it has referred the matter to the state police and First Judicial District Attorney Marco Serna for criminal investigation. The office did not name the employee who stepped down and did not provide details of that person’s involvement with the money.
Northern New Mexico College President Rick Bailey confirmed Wednesday that Financial Services Director Henrietta Trujillo, who had worked at the college for at least five years, has resigned but did not provide further information describing what, if any, link she had with the missing money. Trujillo could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday evening.
In addition to the missing money, the auditor’s office said checks also were not deposited, depriving the college, which has long suffered financial challenges, of additional funds. The office did not disclose the number of undeposited checks or their amounts.
“Those were hundreds of thousands of dollars that should have been serving students and faculty, not the personal benefit of an employee,” State Auditor Tim Keller said in a statement. “We are working quickly to help bring accountability to the matter and we appreciate the cooperation of the college and law enforcement.”
The college discovered the theft Monday, Bailey said, and immediately contacted the State Auditor’s Office. He
declined to say who made the discovery. He also declined to say when the theft took place.
“The college is going to cooperate fully with the investigation,” Bailey said. “But until the investigation is complete, we won’t know the full scope of the case or the full timeline [of events].”
Serna, the district attorney, said late Wednesday that the case had not yet reached his desk.
Sgts. Elizabeth Armijo and Chad Pierce of the New Mexico State Police did not respond to an email seeking comment on the case.
The news of the theft comes as the school has worked to overcome a series of financial troubles.
The school began experiencing budgetary problems in 2013, which led to a tuition rate hike and the layoff of about 20 employees. Student enrollment also declined, and some of the school’s long-cherished trade programs were cut to meet a reduced budget. Some faculty members wrote a letter accusing former president Nancy Barceló of creating a climate of fear and “financial chaos.”
Barceló, who came on board as president in 2010, announced in December 2015 that she was stepping down, about six months before her intended retirement date.
Bailey said he is not worried that the theft will hurt the college’s reputation. “The college has been diligent about getting stronger control of our fiscal process, and in many ways, this revelation has come to light because of the advances the college has made in its business operations,” he said.
“I am confident — very confident — in Northern’s future.”
Jake Arnold of El Rito, a supporter of the college who has criticized its past leadership, said by email that a local civic advocacy organization, La Sociedad Venceslao Jaramillo, is pleased that Bailey is “acting decisively in this matter and doing so with complete transparency.” Arnold serves as the leader of the El Rito advocacy group.
The most important question, Arnold said, is: “What did all other college administrators and the board of regents know, and when did they know it?”
Members of the state Senate Rules Committee raised questions about the allegations of embezzlement during a confirmation hearing Wednesday for Northern regent Rosario “Chayo” García’s second term on the board.
School administrators in attendance told the committee they could not discuss the allegations in much detail.
Lawmakers said the charges demonstrate the need for a board of regents that holds the school’s leaders accountable.
“The oversight just simply was not there,” Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, told García. “The job of a regent is not simply to accept the word of what an administrator says to you.”
Still, the committee unanimously voted to approve her confirmation.
Speaking by phone Wednesday night, García said she could not comment on the investigation, other than to say, “It saddens me and hardens my heart. We were doing so well.”
Gov. Susana Martinez has not yet named a nominee to fill the college’s long-vacant regent seat once held by Donald Martinez. That seat has been empty for two years, leaving many in the Española and El Rito communities frustrated with the governor.
Late last year, Chris Sanchez, a spokesman for Martinez, said she would appoint someone before the end of this year’s 60-day legislative session, which ends March 18. Last week, Michael Lonergan, another spokesman for the governor, said there has been no change in that plan and that an announcement will be made once Martinez has made a decision.