Western New Mexico University aims to reclaim $1.9 million in severance paid to former president Joseph Shepard amid reports of misappropriated funds for personal gains. Shepard resigned after media investigations uncovered extravagant expenditures, including luxury upgrades to his residence and expensive recruiting trips that yielded minimal enrollments. After his resignation, the regents awarded him nearly $2 million in severance and benefits under controversial circumstances. The new board, appointed by the governor, recently voided the severance agreement, claiming that it violated the Open Meetings Act and calling the previous regents' actions into question.
The Office of the State Auditor determined that Joseph Shepard engaged in the waste of public funds and found instances where his travel appeared unrelated to official business.
Following the discovery of inappropriate spending, WNMU regents granted Shepard nearly $2 million in severance, prompting outrage amid a low-income student population.
The new board at Western New Mexico University voided Shepard's separation agreement and terminated his teaching contract, asserting it was signed improperly and violated the Open Meetings Act.
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