University of New Mexico Hospital

Whistleblower suit against UNM over rape allegation begins

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A trial involving the University of New Mexico Hospital began Tuesday morning in an Albuquerque district court room with opening statements from both sides and initial witness testimony from former UNM doctors and a risk management expert. The whistleblower lawsuit filed against UNMH alleges administrators in the school’s medical residency program unlawfully fired Dr. Cynthia Herald after she told her superiors a male resident raped her. Both sides made their respective cases to the jury of 4 women and 10 men. Update, Day Two: Medical school dean testifies in whistleblower lawsuit

Herald’s attorney Randi McGinn painted the picture of a female anesthesiologist, in her second year of post-medical school experience, who was “washed out” of her residency program and is now left with a besmirched record, unable to obtain a well-paying job. McGinn told jurors after Herald reported the rape, medical school administrators began grading Herald’s job performance negatively.

Featured

Sponsor seeking changes to whistleblower law says he’ll change bill

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Recently-retired law enforcement officer Jeremy Romero said he’s taking it easy before he plans to run for sheriff of Guadalupe County, where he grew up. For Romero, nothing about the past few years has been easy, including his road to retirement and the decision to run for public office. Unable to walk and bound to a wheelchair, Romero openly spoke about how his quest to hold  fellow public employees accountable for their actions landed him where he is today. “For having integrity and doing the right thing, it cost me long term, [and] it cost me my legs,” Romero said. As an officer with the New Mexico State Police, Romero reported a fellow officer to his superiors for improper behavior.

Education

Lawsuit: Ex-principal sometimes showed up to work looking drunk—when he did at all

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© New Mexico Political Report, 2015. Contact editor@nmpoliticalreport.com for info on republishing. A lawsuit accuses Albuquerque Public Schools of retaliation after an employee reported that a former principal was working while appearing intoxicated, rarely showing up to work and verbally abusing employees. Filed by Hoover Middle School counselor Louise Adelstone, the suit accuses former principal Jim Chacho of retaliating against her when she raised concerns about Chacho’s behavior. She names Chacho and APS as defendants and is seeking damages for violations of the state Whistleblower Protection Act, emotional distress and more.

Albuquerque Public Schools

Suit: Gov, PED secretary influenced APS deputy superintendent hire

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© New Mexico Political Report, 2015. Media outlets may republish this story in whole or in part by providing credit to the New Mexico Political Report as the original source. Contact editor@nmpoliticalreport.com for additional inquiries
The latest development in the ongoing Albuquerque Public Schools scandal says Gov. Susana Martinez and state Education Secretary Hanna Skandera had a hand in the hire of the disgraced former deputy superintendent of the school district. The chief financial officer for Albuquerque Public Schools filed a lawsuit against his employer Monday afternoon, alleging a civil conspiracy against him and violations of his whistleblower rights. A spokesman for Skandera denied the allegations, saying he “has an ax to grind.” Don Moya’s lawsuit alleges that embattled APS Superintendent Luis Valentino originally offered Moya the position of deputy superintendent.