Quick Reads

Balderas named president of Northern New Mexico College

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Attorney General Hector Balderas has his next job lined up, as president of Northern New Mexico College in Española. Balderas is term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term as Attorney General. 

Balderas was chosen unanimously by the NNMC Board of Regents from a list of four finalists. “I’m inspired that the community was involved in the selection process—they have hope for change, and I am honored that the regents, faculty and staff will partner with me as we take Northern New Mexico College into the future, building on student success and institutional development,” Balderas said in a statement. Balderas will still need to discuss his contract with the board. His term as attorney general ends at the end of the year, and his replacement, 2nd Judicial District Attorney Raúl Torrez, will be sworn in at the start of 2023.

Northern New Mexico College

Audit finds likely theft, other problems at Northern New Mexico College

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An audit released Monday revealed serious problems at Northern New Mexico College, including probable theft of $200,000. State Auditor Tim Keller said the likely theft by the college’s former director of financial services was among 37 findings in an independent audit of the Española college. Since the college didn’t have enough documentation for the audit to reliably score the school’s finances, the audit received a “disclaimer of opinion,” which is negative. In addition to theft, the audit found “excessive” honorariums paid to the former president, “a general lack of controls over accounting practices, cash handling and capital asset,” and a lack of required code of ethics and/or conduct that all employees would sign. The audit was for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2016.