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Arrests made in embezzlement case involving former employee and contractor trusted with river restoration work in New Mexico
WildEarth Guardians issued the following statement from Executive Director, John Horning, in response to the arrests:
“I am relieved and saddened upon learning the news of the criminal indictment and arrests of a former WildEarth Guardians staffer. He worked for Guardians for many years and was once a valued member of our team. Since learning of the embezzlement we have been committed to ensuring that those who misled our organization are held accountable for their actions. Our organization is not only a Guardian of the wild, but we also believe in standing for what’s right and enforcement of our nation’s laws. Today moves us one step closer to justice but it also serves as a reminder of the road our organization has been on to get here.
“Our collaboration with law enforcement agencies was one small part of this effort. We have turned our eyes inward as well to strengthen our own systems so that no one is able to operate in this way in the future. We have pushed for complete transparency in the process to reassure our funders, our members and supporters, and our trusted staff, that we will not tolerate any misuse of resources.
The road to justice has not ended – we have merely passed a pivotal mile marker. We will continue to support and cooperate with law enforcement as they navigate the legal process ahead. ”
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Background
In May of 2019 WildEarth Guardians transmitted to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Albuquerque a forensic auditor’s report which found evidence that a former restoration program director colluded with an outside contractor to overbill WildEarth Guardians, the United States Government, and the State of New Mexico. WildEarth Guardians cooperated with the U.S. Attorney’s office throughout the criminal investigation. An audit, completed by the McHard Firm of Albuquerque, found that a former staff member “participated in a felony fraud scheme with [a] WildEarth Guardians vendor” to steal approximately $250,000.
WildEarth Guardians staff learned of the embezzlement scheme on April 2, 2019 through an anonymous informant’s lawyers. The informant had learned that the former employee colluded with a contractor to embezzle money from the state and federal grants received to do restoration work. As a result of that tip, WildEarth Guardians hired the McHard Firm of Albuquerque to conduct an investigation into the serious allegations.
A stream side Cottonwood-willow forest and wetlands along the Santa Fe River created by WildEarth Guardians restoration program staff.