New Mexico State Auditor intervenes on request

Juan Corral
Las Cruces Bulletin

The New Mexico State auditor’s office met with officials on Monday, April 21, from both the Doña Ana Sheriff’s Office and Doña Ana County to establish the scope of an audit both entities requested.

Both the county and the sheriff’s office have had a falling out in recent months. Both sent letters to the state auditor in March requesting the state’s intervention.

“Each of these letters contain allegations that elected officials and public officers of Doña Ana County may have failed to comply with New Mexico law, county ordinances, rules, regulations, policies and procedures in the performance of their duties,” according to a letter from the NM state auditor’s office.

There is distrust between both departments, according to the auditor’s letter. The letter details Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart’s support for a special audit. But the county said it has copies of emails from Stewart indicating she refused to work with county staff, according to the auditor’s letter.

“The apparent lack of trust amongst county departments and staff is highly disconcerting to me and the situation appears to be at an impasse,” the letter states.

“I have determined, as state auditor, that it is in the public interest to ensure full accountability, objectivity, and transparency by designating the county for a special audit conducted under the auspices of my office to assess the county’s compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures,”  the letter states.

Maestas’ letter says the allegations include “a concerning pattern of potential waste and abuse of public funds and resources by the county and could expose the county to potential legal risk.”.

Maestas told the Las Cruces Bulletin more details will be released in coming weeks.

“A meeting today with my office will take place with all sides to begin the process to establish the audit scope to ensure the county administration and DASO are assured that their concerns will be addressed. Both sides have concerns and both sides formally requested my office's intervention,” he said. “We'll have more to report in the coming days.”