New Mexico

Trial begins for former New Mexico athletics director on embezzlement charges

Published

1 year ago

July 18, 2023

FILE – University of New Mexico Athletic Director Paul Krebs answers questions during a news conference, May 3, 2017, in Albuquerque, N.M. Jury selection began Monday, July 17, 2023, in the trial of the former University of New Mexico athletic director Krebs on embezzlement charges.

Susan Montoya Bryan/AP

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Jury selection began Monday in the trial of former University of New Mexico athletic director Paul Krebs on embezzlement charges.

Krebs left the university in 2017 amid questions over spending and was later indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges that stemmed from allegations that he used public money for a lavish golf trip that he said was meant to strengthen relationships with donors.

Prosecutors just weeks ago dismissed other criminal charges that were part of the 2019 indictment, saying they planned to proceed with just two counts related to embezzlement.

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Krebs’ attorney, Paul Kennedy, had said previously that he was confident his client would be vindicated at trial.

State District Judge Cindy Leos set aside four days for the trial. Witnesses include Krebs’ former assistant, others who worked with the athletics department and donors who traveled to Scotland.

Krebs, 66, was accused of using university and Lobo Club funds to help pay for a trip to Scotland that included himself and family members, several prospective donors, and former UNM men’s basketball coach Craig Neal. The Lobo Club is a nonprofit fundraising organization that helps student athletes.

At the time he announced his retirement in 2017, Krebs was the longest-tenured athletic director in Mountain West Conference history. He was hired by UNM in 2006.

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Prosecutors allege that the athletics department paid about $24,500 for golf tours for three people not affiliated with the university or the UNM Association. They also claim that Krebs used $13,625 in university funds to reimburse the Lobo Club for a golf tour package after Lobo Club funds were used to pay a deposit to a travel company.

The dismissed charges involve Krebs allegedly using school funds to pay his own expenses for the Scotland trip and attempts to conceal evidence related to a $25,000 donation he allegedly made anonymously to the UNM Foundation in 2017 to cover the university’s losses from the Scotland trip.

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New Mexico

New Mexico lacks EV charging stations in rural and tribal areas

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1 hour ago

December 21, 2024

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New Mexico lacks EV charging stations in rural and tribal areas

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New Mexico

NMDOJ issues report on NMSU hazing case

Published

9 hours ago

December 20, 2024

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The New Mexico Department of Justice released a report on its investigation into alleged cases of sexual assault and hazing within the New Mexico State University men’s basketball program during the 2022-23 season.

The NMDOJ issued a report accusing the NMSU men’s basketball program of failing to protect student-athletes and having a “pervasive culture of misconduct,” leading to the cancellation of the season.

The report stems from an investigation into alleged hazing and sexual assault incidents within the NMSU men’s basketball program back then, which led to the cancellation of the season.

In April 2023, two players sued the school, players and coaches, accusing multiple players of sexually assaulting them multiple times over several months – and accusing the coaches of not stepping in. In November 2023, a grand jury indicted Deshawndre Washington, Kim Aiken Jr., and Doctor Bradley on criminal charges.

Bradley and Aiken each took a plea deal. Aiken agreed to testify against Washington as a part of his deal.

The NMDOJ blames the alleged assaults on an environment characterized by a toxic culture within the program. They allege people close to the team missed “opportunities to observe and intervene” and that student safety programs didn’t do enough “to deter or address this behavior.” They cited “lax oversight, inconsistent discipline, and inadequate preventative measures.”

“This report is intended to shine a light not only on the specific misconduct by members of NMSU’s basketball team but also the institutional deficiencies that allowed that misconduct to go unaddressed by leaders inside the university,” Attorney General Raúl Torrez said. “While NMSU has made commendable progress since these incidents occurred, more must be done to ensure accountability and prevent future harm.”

The NMDOJ called on NMSU to:

Develop written guidelines for collaborations between athletics, institutional equity office and the dean
Institute recurring Title IX and anti-hazing training for all students and staff
Enforce “disciplinary measures for student-athletes based on the severity of misconduct”
Strengthen standards for recruiting practices and coach and player vetting
Ensure senior leadership “prioritizes and adequately funds” safety initiatives and programming
Establish a center “dedicated to sexual violence education, prevention, and victim advocacy”

The NMDOJ is calling on the New Mexico Legislature to pass anti-hazing legislation. According to them, New Mexico is one of six states that lacks this.

They also identified seven critical areas of concern:

Institutional governance and student engagement
Policies
Reporting mechanisms
Training
Athletics Department culture and recruiting practices
Resources for sexual assault victims
Interdepartmental coordination.

You can read the full NMDOJ report here.

Here is the letter the NMDOJ sent to NMSU:

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New Mexico

New Mexico chipmunk listed as ‘endangered’ in southeast region – Ruidoso News

Published

17 hours ago

December 20, 2024

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New Mexico chipmunk listed as ‘endangered’ in southeast region – Ruidoso News

A Penasco least chipmunk is pictured. Jim Stuart /New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

Adrian HeddenCarlsbad Current-Argusachedden@currentargus.com A chipmunk the federal government believed could go extinct in southeast New Mexico was given the highest level of protection, while land…